Brentford defender Joel Valencia has revealed his efforts to try and help ease the Coronavirus situation in his native Ecuador after losing a family member to the virus.
Like many countries around the world, Ecuador has been struck by the outbreak of COVID-19, with 7,500 cases confirmed thus far.
The region of Guayas has been the hardest hit, with over 70 per cent of the country’s infected coming from there, 4,000 in the capital Guayaquil alone.
It’s already seen the mortuary system in the area collapse, with social media posts showing bodies abandoned in the streets and the police forced to intervene and remove the dead to neighbouring areas.
Valencia’s family currently live in that area, and the Brentford man has been doing his utmost to try and help.
“I have family in Guayaquil, where there are the most infections,” he told Sport Express.
“My family confirms that it’s really bad. In my country, there was a problem with sanitary issues, access to health care, and hospitals.
“The rich will manage there, but the poor, and there are definitely more of them, not anymore.
“My family confirmed it to me that in Guayaquil, the dead are lying in their homes for a few days because there is no one to pick them up.
“I try to help as much as I can. I funded 1,500 masks for a nearby hospital; I also sent money to my mother so that she and my siblings could organise food packages for the whole of my town.”
Valencia made the move to Brentford last summer, joining in a £1.8m deal from Polish side Piast Gliwice.
His first season in England has been something of a difficult one, with him struggling to establish himself in Thomas Frank’s side.
He, though, isn’t concerned at this moment in time, insisting that he and his manager are pleased with his progress so far.
“Leaving Piast to England, I was prepared for the first year to be one of acclimatisation. New country, new culture, new ball,” he added.
“Of these 14 matches, I only played one in the starting eleven, the rest is 5, 10, 15 minutes, and then a little time for these goals, assists.
“I don’t complain; I don’t blame anyone. The three players I compete with are doing very well.
“So I don’t blame the trainers either. I work, I fight, I try to. I am calm, the coach also. Although of course, I’m already ready.”
