The Chelsea FC Women’s forward logged in on Friday to support participants from our women’s walking football team, answering questions on the team’s daily training routine, what it’s like to play away and stay in a hotel, as well as revealing her favourite ground among many more topics.

Kirby follows in the footsteps of team-mate Carly Telford and men’s midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who both recently took part in a virtual classroom session for children of NHS staff and other key workers. Former Blues Claire Rafferty, Gary Chivers and Clive Walker have also supported the Foundation in a similar way.

Following the conclusion of the session, Kirby said: ‘It was a pleasure to join the women for their weekly call. We are all dealing with this situation in our own way and keeping in contact is crucial so it is great to see the Chelsea Foundation creating these opportunities.

‘As players we are always keen to support the good work the club does in the community and if this helped in some way, I am delighted to do so.’

With social distancing measures in place following the coronavirus outbreak, people have been asked to follow government guidelines and stay home to help control the virus.

This has meant the Foundation’s weekly walking football sessions, and other traditional football opportunities, have temporarily come to a stop so the players and their coaches have been working on new and innovative ways to support our participants.

Chelsea Foundation development manager Keith Harmes joined the call and said: ‘It was brilliant to have Fran join the players. They are enjoying the weekly chats and to add an international player was a real boost.

‘They are passionate about football and really missing the weekly sessions but we have worked hard to bring them together online to ensure they stay connected.’