A KIND-HEARTED Australian rugby player has been delivering food to elderly folk in the Borders town he currently calls home.

Gala RFC forward Cody Roman, 22, moved from Wollongong, New South Wales, in October last year.

When coronavirus put paid to his plans to explore more of the Borders, he decided to channel his free time into volunteering as a driver with Food Train.

He said: “I’m fortunate that I’m mobile so I want to get out and help those who are less fortunate or in need."

For six weeks, Cody has been dropping off food to residents who are self-isolating.

He said: “It got to the end of winter and I was looking forward to seeing some nice summer days, and then this [lockdown] happened.

“The club put a post on social media asking if there were any guys ready to help out with anything, like shopping or dog-walking or anything that people were unable to do now, for people who had to self-isolate.

“The Food Train commented on the post, and I was like, ‘I’ll do it’. And I’ve being doing it for six weeks now.

“It’s been really good – everyone appreciates it. Some people who live alone might not have seen anyone for a few days, so they’re very happy when we come out to them and have a chat.

“Some of them are very excited and grateful. Some of them offer us a cup of tea and we have to let them down easy."

Despite being so far from his home Down Under, Cody is coping well with the coronavirus lockdown.

“It’s not too bad, with Facebook and social media and stuff. I can just send messages and give people a call.

"And I’m pretty fortunate where I live – everyone’s very friendly.”