Helping nurses and doctors fight the virus, feeding the hungry and scoring goals

Players who play in the big leagues are often slated for being too wealthy to remain in touch with the real world and real people's problems. They train, get into their expensive cars and go away to their luxury homes to do whatever it is that they do over there. But not all players are like that. Newcastle United midfielder Allan Saint-Maximin shows what it's like to belong with the fans you represent on the pitch.

Whether it's working in the community in the city of Newcastle, helping out the local food bank or just plain communicating with people – Allan is a different kind of footballer.

Shortly after arriving on Tyneside in 2019, the skilful winger ingratiated himself with the broader community, meeting with staff members and volunteers at Newcastle's West End Foodbank to learn more about the centre and families who rely on the organisation for support.

The 24-year-old Frenchman was nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Community Champion award after getting involved with Newcastle United Foundation initiatives and making his donations to provide care packages for Newcastle's National Health Service staff working through the Covid-19 pandemic. And he won it.

The PFA Community Champion awards aim to recognise players dedicated to getting involved in the communities around them and lending a hand to their club's charity work throughout the season. Saint-Maximin has done a lot of good and was rightly honoured by the PFA.

Allan has donated packs, including gift cards and chocolates, to local healthcare staff around the city, as a mark of gratitude for their work during the Covid-19 crisis. In the first wave of the pandemic, the North East of England was one of the worst-hit areas of the United Kingdom. Being able to help the people with your time and money is the way Allan was brought up.

"It's education given me by my parents. When you have a little bit, even a few dollars, try to do everything you can to help those who need it."

The award came as a surprise for the Newcastle United fan favourite.

"I didn't expect that they were going to give me a trophy because I don't do it for a trophy, but I'm pleased to have this. Being involved in the community in the city is important, and I want to say thank you to the PFA and to the Newcastle United Foundation for nominating me. A lot of people in my family, and also people I know and have met in my life, work in medicine or similar things, so I need to give my support and do what I can to give something back."

Saint-Maximin's on-the-pitch contribution has been just as well-received in Tyneside in his two seasons at the club, with former Monaco and Nice trickster helping his team to Premier League safety in what's been a largely disappointing season. But it's not all about playing well during those 90 minutes – it's about making the people happy when you step off the pitch.

"I am in a position where I can do that. It's significant for me. Many people in my family have been working to save lives every day, every night in the pandemic. I think about these people, about everything. Also, a few people I have met in my life work in healthcare. I need to support them. I'm trying to give something back to them."

Besides doing serious work in helping the medical staff around his new home in England, Allan has been delighting the fans by engaging in conversations on Twitter and spending time in cafes and restaurants with the fans. He's often spotted strolling around Newcastle just like any other guy. His behaviour and attitude is a far cry from the big stars who are usually treated like Hollywood celebrities wherever they go.

Joking, admitting when he's had a bad game, answering all sorts of questions on social media and being a funny, down-to-earth person has endeared Allan Saint-Maximin to the supporters just as much as his breath-taking dribbles and goals for the club. He's a good guy, and we all need more of those.