Mansfield Town's Neal Bishop says we all have a responsibility to help those struggling during lockdown

The midfielder is one of more than 750,000 people to have signed up to volunteer with the NHS as he seeks to do his bit for those less fortunate.

As part of the scheme Bishop has helped deliver food and medicine to people in his neighbourhood unable to leave the house.

“I just wanted to do something, we have got a lot of free time once we have done our workout in the morning,” he said.

“I had seen and read about volunteering with the NHS and I just wanted to do something.

Here’s how you can sign up to help

“Anyone’s first priority in this is to make sure themselves and their family are safe, but once that is done can you go out and help other people stay safe?

“If it is safe to do so then I think you have a responsibility to help your neighbourhood.

“As footballers you are naturally selfish, you train and you want your rest and everything is focused on Saturday or Tuesday and playing games.

Lives come before football, says CJ Hamilton

“So it is important to take a step back and have a look during this time and this appealed to me.

“It is important you contribute to the area you live in when you can. As a parent it is important to set an example to my son and that you do good things, not for what you get back but for helping other people.

“It is not about what you can get at the other end, it is about helping people. It helps your mental well-being by giving something back.

“If you are in a position to contribute anything at this time, I think it is important to do that. I am proud to be able to help out.

“We have got my boy out litter picking around the area and we have donated to the food bank at the local church.

“We are just doing whatever we can to help the community get through this and come out the other side.”

Stags have not played a game since the 2-1 win at Northampton Town on the 7th March.

But Bishop says he is using the enforced break in action to stay positive and keep perspective on what is important.

“The isolation period has been different and difficult for us all,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things you have got to count your blessings.

“We are not in a bad position as footballers, there are people in the community a lot worse off than we are.

“You have to put things in perspective, we are carrying out our fitness regime which is being monitored by a staff member.

“That is something we are all doing. It is a tough session, but it is enjoyable and at least it gets you out and keeps you mentally right.

“On the other side of things, my wife is a businesswoman so she is still working day to day and I am the primary carer for our little boy.

“I have been helping him with his schoolwork, he’s seven and already a lot cleverer than I am.

“It’s been good to spend time with him and take the positives from the negatives going on in the world.

“It will end, it will get back to normal. It is tough but you have got to take the positives.”

“Anyone’s first priority in this is to make sure they and their family are safe, but once that is done can you go out and help other people stay safe?

“If it is safe to do so then I think you have a responsibility to help your neighbourhood.

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