Shay Given has paid tribute to the 'heroes on the frontline' fighting coronavirus - and the charity the Newcastle United hero has helped to set up has already raised enough money to supply the equivalent of more than 22,000 masks.

CareGiven was launched by the Irishman and friend Rob Noble last month after they were moved to act amid the well-publicised shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for key workers.

A supply chain has been established by the not-for-profit fund-raising operations with factories authorised to produce PPE for the NHS. Frontline, a crowd-sourced online map, which has up to date information on hospitals and workplaces experiencing shortages, then ensures the equipment is distributed to where it is needed the most.

Given hopes that the PPE batches will now start reaching key workers in hospitals in the next week or so.

"They talk about heroes on the football pitch, but they are the heroes on the frontline with the job they do," he told ChronicleLive.

"Not just for Covid-19 but in general, too. If something happens to you, they're there for you 24/7 and it's remarkable the job they do and we should be very grateful for the people on the frontline who are helping to save people's lives. How do you put a price on that?

"Doctors and nurses have their own families as well and older people to worry about, but they still have to go to work and try and keep the country going."

All the money raised from donations and the purchase of merchandise, including rainbow flags, goes directly towards helping staff on the frontline in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

To date, CareGiven has raised £12,671, which is the equivalent of 22,808 masks, and has been supported by a host of high-profile figures, including singer Peter Gabriel.

"It's all non-profit, it's all to help people on the frontline and the donations have made are fantastic and we're very thankful for the people who have donated and just encourage people to donate as much as they can," Given added.

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"I know it's a tough time - people are off work or furloughed and money's tight for a lot of people - but a fiver here or there will help. That would be 10 masks for the frontline. It's just little bits to try and encourage people to sort of give what they can, really."

Shay Given is backing CareGiven, which is raising funds to provide PPE for NHS staff and key workers in the UK and frontline workers in Ireland. For more information, and to donate, visit www.caregiven.co.uk.