Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THAT’S MY CUE Break in game gave Allen time to put a little bit back into local community
NORTHERN Ireland snooker ace Mark Allen has been keeping himself busy volunteering during the Covid19 crisis.
With no professional snooker since February, Antrim’s Allen has been assisting his local church help support those vulnerable people in the community.
And that’s meant Allen has swapped his cue for a car as handy delivery driver, ferrying food packages and vital medical supplies across the town.
“There’s a lot of people who are struggling out there, which is not nice, so I was happy to help,” revealed Allen.
“I really loved doing it, it’s nice to help people less fortunate that yourself.
“I did some volunteer work for threefour weeks, I delivered groceries and medication to vulnerable people around Antrim.
“I just had too much time on my own so I wanted to help. It was really good for me and my mental state, but most of all it was great to help people who needed it. I did 3-4 hours a day picking up shopping for people, then I’m come back and do chemist runs as well.”
Allen last played professionally at the Players Championship, but that was nearly three months ago.
And with time on his hands – and confirmed tournaments to look forward to – the world No 5 was keen to help his community and those in desperate need during the pandemic.
“I put a notice on my Facebook page asking for volunteering work, but nobody really got back to me,” admitted Allen. “But then a friend of mine is connected to a local church and they do a lot of community service.
“They got in contact and I just said I was happy to help in anyway I could. It was a great experience.
“Meeting these vulnerable people was really sad, it was like my mum who has been ill and had to isolate for 12 weeks.
“I actually met a really nice guy, he lived alone and you could tell he was in a bad way. But I think he was really glad of the delivery I dropped off and the company, we just chatted for a while and you could tell it meant a lot to him.
“I ended up giving him my mobile number and I said to him call me if there’s anything you need.”
Snooker’s Championship League will return 1-11 June, behind closed-doors at Milton Keynes’ Marshall Arena.
And Allen is one of 64 players who have entered the tournament, hungry for match practice ahead of the rescheduled World Championship later in the year (31st July – 16th August).
“To be honest I’m just desperate for a game of snooker, I’ve missed playing,” said Allen. “Everyone is getting tested, so there shouldn’t be any risk attached.”