LONDON: A 99-year-old World War II veteran, who raised millions of pounds for healthcare workers in the United Kingdom in the fight against COVID-19, has been invited to Lord’s cricket stadium.
England Test captain Joe Root surprised Captain Tom Moore with a video call, and invited him to give the side a team talk. The veteran also received an invite from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the England cricket team to ring the five-minute bell at Lord’s after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted.
“We cannot wait to welcome you to ring the five-minute bell at Lord’s, @captaintommoore. You are an inspiration to us all,” tweeted the official account of Lord’s Cricket Ground.
READ MORE: WWII veteran raises £13 mn for UK health workers
In a video call with Root, the England captain asked Moore to “give a team-talk to get all the lads in the right frame of mind” once international cricket is back on track.
“You’re a huge inspiration to me,” said Root. The 99-year-old responded: “I’m looking forward to the time when you’ve got the Australians about – and you’re routing them, as I’m sure you will.” Root said he would send the veteran a signed shirt from England’s 2019 World Cup victory.
Moore has pledged to keep on walking as long as the donations are coming in. He could be on his way up the music charts with a recording of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball’, and has also been invited to visit racing car firm McLaren’s headquarters. Moore has been a lifelong cricket lover and is all set to turn 100 on April 30.
Meeting Captain Tom and his lovely family filled me with pride. A national hero full of optimism. https://t.co/d0WOkGRgqJ
— Joe Root (@root66) April 21, 2020
The British World War II veteran completed 100 laps of his 25-metre garden with the help of his walking frame in a fundraising challenge for healthcare staff and raised more than £13 million.
Moore initially set himself the goal of raising £1,000 for a National Health Service charity in time for his 100th birthday at the end of the month, after receiving treatment for cancer and a broken hip.
His efforts have made him a star in his own country and abroad, with the government suggesting honours may be in order. The final lap of his garden in Bedfordshire, south England, was met with a guard of honour from the Yorkshire Regiment and broadcast live on British TV. A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tom has captured the heart of the nation with his heroic effort.
His efforts have been lauded around the world. The veteran has also received online support from former Manchester United and Arsenal football captains Rio Ferdinand and Tony Adams and Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes.
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