Roman Abramovich donates Chelsea hotel rooms to NHS staff again

The Russian owner has stepped in to ease the strain on the health service during the third lockdown

(AFP)

Roman Abramovich has confirmed he will make hotels at Stamford Bridge available to NHS again.

As England enters a third lockdown, the Chelsea owner has stepped up to offer NHS staff free accommodation at the Millennium Hotel.

The idea was initially suggested by the Russian owner last year with the NHS accepting his offer and now, with doctors and nurses pushed to the limits after a spike in cases, the offer has been repeated.

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A statement from the club read: “With England back in lockdown, Chelsea Football Club is once more providing accommodation at Stamford Bridge to the National Health Service (NHS).

“Club owner Roman Abramovich will again be covering the costs of providing the accommodation, which includes bed and breakfast, in the Copthorne Hotel. A similar initiative was rolled out last March in response to the first coronavirus outbreak in London.

“Many of the medical staff will be working long hours and may not be able to travel home or would have to make long commutes at a time when the virus is so transmissible. The rooms will be initially available until the next government review in mid-February.

“Millennium Hotels and Resorts, who manage the hotel, are supportive and assisting the club in providing this service to the NHS.”