A football (soccer) legend and local celebrity visited the One Vision hub based at Stanborough Park Church to see for himself their efforts to help those adversely affected by the current pandemic--and ended up agreeing to be an ambassador and patron for the project.
Luther Blissett, former Watford FC and England player, visited the lively hub at the church on October 29 to see for himself the work providing food and help to local people in need during the current crisis. He was representing Watford FC's Former Players Club which was set up in 2009 by former striker Neil Price and one-time Watford and England manager Graham Taylor, who is still fondly remembered in the town. It was organized to bring former players of the club together, build a fund to help those former players who are less well off or struggling, and give aid in the local community.
Now in his seventh decade, and many clubs later, Blissett has retained his links with Watford through his involvement with Watford FC's Former Players Club. It was his desire to help the local community that brought Luther to One Vision.
When asked by One Vision's Cllr Rabi Martins if he could spread the message of One Vision's work to his fellow members, Blissett replied:
"I think the message has got to go to all of Watford. We've been saying all through this COVID thing we are a family, we are a community, and we are here to look after each other. So, let's look after our neighbors. We’ve got to look after each other as best we can. So, donate! Whether it be financial, whether it be time or food or drink...and we can get it to wherever it's needed."
Blissett was so impressed with what he saw, that in addition to spending two days delivering meals and groceries to needy recipients, he also agreed to become an ambassador for and patron of the organization.
After his visit, he tweeted, "An absolute pleasure to be working with the One Vision team! Delivered a car full of food thanks to help from Ros and her amazing community angels."
Blissett began his professional career at Fourth Division Watford Football Club back in 1975. He was a prolific goalscorer during his time in the club and by the time he moved on in 1983, some 73 goals later, Watford was in the First Division. He also scored three goals during his time with the England team between 1982-4. Hence, he has been all but canonized by the club's supporters!
According to One Vision Chairman Enoch Kanagaraj, "One Vision has delivered over 10,000 hot meals and 15,000 grocery bags. Now we’re getting geared up for Christmas. No one should sleep on an empty stomach and loneliness should not have a place to hide."
Currently providing more than 4,000 hot meals and around 900 grocery bags per week, volunteers deliver to all Watford postcodes plus parts of neighboring St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead. The organization is desperately in need of volunteer drivers prepared to do one shift a week from 12:30-4:30 p.m. and would welcome offers of help from anyone in the area with time to spare.