Chelsea footballer Antonio Rüdiger has launched a campaign to raise money to buy face masks for market traders in Sierra Leone.

Rüdiger says he hopes they will help protect them and stop the spread of coronavirus.

He tweeted that his foundation would be partnering with Mary-Ann Kaikai of Madam Wokie Fashion and the charity Lunchbox Gift to provide 60,000 face masks:

I am pleased to announce that my Foundation Antonio Rüdiger For Sierra Leone will be partnering with @madam_wokie and @LunchBoxGift to provide 60,000 face masks to low income market traders in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This will hopefully reduce the spread of Covid19. 🇸🇱🙏🏾

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) April 23, 2020

Rüdiger, who was born to Sierra Leonean parents in Germany, has also roped in fellow Premier League players, who have set the ball rolling for the campaign to raise $30,000 (£24,000).

He thanked Mesut Özil, N'Golo Kanté, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Olivier Giroud for their support:

Our target for this campaign is $30.000. I Will pledge $5,000 to kickstart this campaign and Big Thanks to @MesutOzil1088, @nglkante, @Calteck10, @_OlivierGiroud_ for donating an extra $5,000.Please follow the link below to donate too. Keep safe and save lives! Thx u in advance.

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) April 23, 2020

The Chelsea defender is also paying for catering costs for the next three months at a hospital in Berlin, where he was born.