Ilkay Gundogan has launched a charity campaign to support local businesses in Manchester that are struggling in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The German midfielder is auctioning off a series of special prizes to raise money for cafes and restaurants which have been hit hard by lockdown restrictions.

Fans can bid for the chance to win a virtual meeting with Gundogan and also a personal meet and greet for two, which will see City’s No.8 spend half an hour with the lucky winners as soon as Coronavirus guidelines declare it safe to do so.

Match worn shirts from City’s recent games against Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion are also available in the auction, all of which have been signed by the 30-year-old, as are the boots he wore when he scored in the 1-1 draw against West Brom in December.

According to a recent study, almost 6,000 pubs, cafes and restaurants have closed as a consequence of England’s lockdown restrictions, which has prompted Gundogan to take action and all proceeds from the auction will be donated to local businesses.

“Manchester feels like home to me,” Gundogan explained.

“Over the last few years I spent a lot of time in the city’s many wonderful cafés and restaurants.

“Recently, it has been in the media again and again in which difficult situation they are currently in. Some of the owners and employees of the restaurants with who I am in contact have also told me this.

“I would like to support these wonderful people in Manchester in these challenging times and at the same time offer fans the opportunity to buy something special at auction and do some good with it.

“Only together can we get through this difficult time.”

This is the latest in a series of charitable acts from Gundogan, who has lent his support to social care charity, Community Integrated Care, over the last 12 months.

The German international is an Official Ambassador and donated Christmas presents to participants in December, whilst he marked his 30th birthday in October of last year by making socially distanced visits to people supported by the charity.

To find out more about the auction in aid of Manchester’s cafes and restaurants, please visit charitystars.com.

Photograph provided by Nadine Bauer. 

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