HE’S the Premier League goalie who cannot stop giving away gifts — and his manager loves him for it!
West Brom’s Sam Johnstone will pull out all the stops to be at his Scrooge-like best over the busy festive period, as he battles to preserve the Baggies’ place in the richest league in the world.
Yet away from the game, the 27-year-old West Brom No 1’s charitable heroics have gone largely under the radar.
Like Marcus Rashford, Johnstone has been digging deep to fund a string of noble causes, including distributing healthy meals to kids and essential care workers in his hometown of Preston, as well as Manchester and the Midlands.
However, on the pitch he has become increasingly miserly and will be targeting back-to-back clean sheets when Crystal Palace visit tomorrow.
When asked about his charitable work, Johnstone said: “I did my bit to help out in lockdown.
“It’s been such a tough period for everyone, no matter who you are, where you work or what you do.
“I regularly use a local gym in Preston that was forced to shut. They have a food company and the chef makes really healthy meals which I take home so I can eat good, nutritious food away from the ground.
“I suggested I would pay for his food and the gym owner distributed it to hospitals, care homes, fire and ambulance service.
“The staff were working tirelessly in the NHS and on the front line and they needed something quick to eat and ready to go and not worry about when they would next eat.
“All my family is from Preston and I’m in a fortunate position to be able to help. You feel good for doing it. You are helping others and they appreciate it.”
Likewise, Johnstone appreciates former Manchester United club-mate Rashford’s contribution to the nation’s kids after working tirelessly to force the Government into a U-turn over free meals for needy children during school holidays.
He added: “What Marcus has achieved is massive. People don’t realise how many kids do go hungry.
“I read the other day about Marcus’ mum going hungry so he and his brothers could eat. You don’t realise how often that happens. Now it’s being highlighted.
“I’m not from a wealthy background. There were three growing lads living at home and mum’s working two jobs — in an office in a prison during the day and mobile hairdressing at night. Meanwhile, dad’s working hard then ferrying me to Manchester United training four times a week.
“You know what lads are like, they eat and eat — anything that’s in the cupboard! So it is tough and I think half of that is where it comes from.
“I’m fortunate I can help my family and others. We weren’t that fortunate growing up. It’s nice to give something back now.”
Johnstone’s giving nature saw him help a heartbroken Nigerian man rebuild his business after his mobile food van was torched by racists.
David Olalekan Kamson worked tirelessly to establish his own food company in Moston, Manchester, selling suya — a popular spicy meat skewer dish from West Africa — before his business went up in flames.
Johnstone heard of his plight through Instagram and gave generously as £33,000 of donations poured in within 24 hours.
The keeper with a conscience said: “I donated because some things, when you read about them, touch you.
“It hurts when people slag footballers off and say they only work two hours and it is easy. To give something back is massive
“Although I don’t know him, he had obviously worked hard to build the business before it was taken away.
“A lot of people raised money. He has his new van now and is back doing what he does best.”
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