KATIE BOULTER is using her time in lockdown to comfort vulnerable OAPs.
The big-hearted British star, who has been staying with fellow player Laura Robson, signed up to be an Age UK volunteer.
Boulter, 23, admits she is desperately missing her Leicester-supporting grandad Brian, 84, who she has not seen since February.
So in an attempt to help others, she has completed her Age UK welfare training.
Boulter said: “The plan is to visit and have a relationship with elderly people. I cannot wait to start.
“I can try and help them during this difficult time. I’ve always had a close relationship with my grandpa.
“What they do is pair you with up to three people. You can go and see them, talk to them over the phone, do their shopping for them.
“Basically just try and help them make their lives a little bit easier. Hopefully they won’t feel so lonely. It’d be great if they’re Leicester fans — I’d have a lot to talk to them about!
“It’s hard for everyone but for those who don’t have people living with them, I’m sure it’s been an extremely tough period. If I can help in any way then it’d make me happy.”
ACE HELPER
It was Brian who first introduced Boulter to the Foxes and the pair celebrated together when Claudio Ranieri guided them to a famous Premier League title in 2016.
Boulter, who travels about 30 weeks a year, said: “To have an extended period where I’m in the country and I can’t go and see him makes it so much harder.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time on FaceTime. I call him to make him happy as much as possible. I am missing him a lot.
“We often joke he shouldn’t celebrate when a goal is scored — not when he’s had a few heart attacks and eight stents!”
Boulter has spent the past 12-14 weeks on her Wattbike, making TikTok videos with Robson, 26, and some ‘super-competitive’ games of Uno.
The world No 374 — who has dropped down in the rankings due to a back injury — intends to take part in the LTA Tour series in July, but says it will be ‘odd’ not to play the grass-court season or go to Wimbledon.
View this post on InstagramGrateful for another beautiful day
Boulter backs the #BlackLivesMatter cause and believes more sports stars now feel emboldened to speak out against racism.
She added: “The situation is pretty tragic and I’d say it’s very unacceptable to see the way that people have been treated in this era.
“It’s clearly a problem and it’s an eye-opener because it reminds you that there are so many bigger problems in the world than in tennis.”
Katie Boulter is a member of the LTA’s Pro Scholarship Programme – the highest level of support offered to developing elite players by the national governing body.
