With football and the world currently on hold, charitable organisations are experiencing the most challenging of times as the COVID-19 pandemic grips the globe.
Vital fundraising activities are falling by the wayside, including this Saturday when Wednesday were due to take on local rivals Huddersfield in the Championship.
Hillsborough was scheduled to host the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), supporting the Soldiers Charity, established in 1944 to help injured soldiers and their immediate family. Countless servicemen and women have benefited from essential financial aid through the ensuing years.
Wednesdayites may remember the club backing lifelong fan and ex-serving soldier Steve Milne when he completed the 100km Frontline Walk in Belgium and laid a wreath at Sheffield Park, where the Sheffield Pals Battalion were massacred at the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.
Steve has since navigated seven similar challenges to raise money for the ABF and his latest venture, the most demanding by far, will take place later this year when he and partner Tina aim to cover a gruelling 100kms across the Sahara Desert.
The target is £5,000 and a major part of the fundraising was pencilled in for the Huddersfield game with static displays, army-related experiences and an all-important bucket collection before the match.
The current crisis has put paid to that and further awareness days, so the ABF are reaching out for ongoing support during these troubled times.
CLICK HERE for more details on the Sahara Desert trek and on behalf of Sheffield Wednesday, we wish Steve and the Soldiers Charity every success.