A SWINDON football star is spreading the word to get people donating to help struggling families in the coronavirus crisis.

Phil King who has played for Swindon Town FC, Exeter City and Sheffield Wednesday is supporting his friend Leroy Wilson who is collecting food donations.

The defender said: "We've been friends for about 20 years now and when he rang me to tell me about what he was doing I was more than happy to help.

"I've just been posting on social media just to get the word out there and to get more people involved. It's just a good thing to do especially in today's climate, it's a great thing he's doing."

Leroy from Charles Geddes Carpets in Royal Wootton Bassett is giving the food donations to a group who deliver food parcels.

Royal Wootton Bassett Covid-19 Mutual Aid has been helping vulnerable groups since the beginning of the pandemic.

Leroy said: "One of the biggest reasons we are having to help people is because they are needing to isolate. Some of them are only just surviving. It just meant everything to me to be able to help because I understand what it's like to just scrape by because it's what I had to do growing up."

Every Saturday he opens the store on the High Street between 9.30am and 12.30 for people to donate food.