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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