Parejo talks #CoronaVida and squad morale

On Friday, the Valencia CF squad announced that they would be joining the #CoronaVida initiative, started by former VCF player Sergio Canales and his colleagues at Real Betis. The club and the VCF Foundation will be making their donations to Casa Caridad Valencia, as captain Dani Parejo explained to VCF Media Radio.

"I have a great friendship with Sergio from when we were teammates here. He told me about the idea and immediately accepted. In such difficult times for everybody, with so much urgency and need, we footballers are privileged and have to help those who are having a worse time of it in this serious situation," Parejo said.

"When I proposed the idea to my teammates, they all said yes. These types of situations hit us all in the heart, and I'm very happy that both the club and the VCF Foundation have got onboard, with the donations going to Casa Caridad Valencia."

Parejo also explained the importance of the work that Casa Caridad undertake in the Valencia region, providing food and accomodation.
"A few years ago I went along there, and I experienced what it's like. I saw people coming to pick up food and clothing, and it's tough. That's in a normal situation, so imagine what it's like in these times of such need."

"Obviously it's a difficult time in every sense, but we invite people with more spending power -and those who can afford it- to help in any way they can; not just economically, but with clothing or anything else. There are people who don't have a place to sleep, or who are struggling to eat. Every contribution, big or small, adds up."

The Valencia CF squad, like the rest of Spain, are on lockdown as part of the country's action against the spread of COVID-19. Parejo says that it is a difficult situation for everybody.

"We've not been in this situation for long. I've been setting some work for my children and things are a little more hobby-based, but we're also training every day with the resources that we have. We can't go out for a run, but we have a stationary bike at home and can do functional exercises at home to keep fit," he told VCF Media Radio.

"We don't know when the league is going to come back -it's all up in the air- but when it does you have to be at 100%. It's hard to win a game and you have to take things very seriously; that doesn't just mean traning but also eating well and keeping at the same weight. That required training and a lot of sacrifice."

The club are one of the most heavily affected by COVID-19, with several members of the team testing positive for the virus.

"We have a WhatsApp group and have checked that everybody is ok. Those who unfortunately tested positive have not had any symptoms. We'll see what happens within 10 or 15 days; I hope that they can retake the test and that it comes back negative. They are calm. We have chatted and they are trying to deal with the situation in the best way possible."