ASKAM Rugby League Club has gone above and beyond to show its appreciation for the NHS, despite going through a tough time due to rugby’s shutdown.

Groundsmen took advantage of the suspended season to say thank you to local healthcare workers.

Lines have been painted on the club’s pitch with ‘NHS’ printed inside a large heart.

The club posted on Twitter: “Showing our support for the brilliant work done by the @NHSuk

#StayAtHome #StaySafe”

The club has voiced its support even though the club is struggling with financial losses due to the suspended season.

Askam ARLFC is active in its community but one committee member said that has come to a halt due to the lockdown.

Sean McCullough, youth chair at Askam Rugby Club, said: “I believe our groundsman painted the support on the pitch to show support for the NHS and got a drone to fly over to take some good shots of it.

“It was a shame that the shutdown happened when it did, as the season never really got going.

“We have had to stop all training as well after the RFL issued guidelines in connection with the coronavirus outbreak.

“However, we have managed to get some stuff online about keeping fit where we can.

“So this means really that we haven’t played properly since the back end of last season.

"This is a shame because we have a great youth section at the moment with some breaking through into the senior teams.

“In terms of financial income, we are open every home game and our first team draws quite a big crowd so we have lost quite a bit of revenue because of the shutdown.

“This is a tough time for us, but it is for many clubs, and we will get through it and open again after all this.

“Like most clubs though, many of our members have a connection to the NHS, as it is one the biggest employers around here.

“It is just something to make people smile and show our support. Every little helps, and with so much stuff being put on social media nowadays, if you can publish a few things to make a difference, then why not. This club is a bit of a community centre as well, and unfortunately all those activities have had to stop as well which is a real shame.

“I am worried about the community side of things really. This is a show of support from them, and we have to do what we can to take the pressure off the NHS and keep social distancing.”

The display follows on from last week’s show of appreciation for the NHS with a minute’s applause.