Allen On Volunteering In Lockdown

Coral Tour Championship semi-finalist Mark Allen has been doing his bit to help out the local community in Antrim during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2018 Masters champion recorded a thrilling 9-8 win over Shaun Murphy yesterday to book his place in the last four of this week’s elite Coral Series finale.

After the match, he revealed that prior to entering snooker’s bubble in Milton Keynes, he passed the hours by volunteering to help the vulnerable whilst the nation was locked down.

“The first few weeks of lockdown were really tough and the only times I saw anyone was when we were having video calls and a few drinks,” said 34-year-old Allen.

He added: “I got in touch with someone who was heading the community help scheme in Antrim. He was happy for me to get on board. It was just things like getting grocery shopping for people who couldn’t get out of the house, going to the chemist and doing proscription runs. I was doing that for three or four hours every day.

“I met some really nice people. There was one elderly man, who must be well into his nineties, he just lived with his wife and couldn’t get out of the house. Each time I delivered to him, I did his house last, so I could stay and talk to him. It was just pleasing to do it. I really enjoyed it.”