Rugby stars have recorded inspirational messages for boys at a London school to help motivate them through the coronavirus lockdown.
Former England captain Matt Dawson and current star Mako Vunipola, as well as BBC presenter Dan Walker and MP Greg Hands, have all sent words of support to students from Fulham Boys School.
It is part of the school’s drive to keep the boys’ spirits up. Headmaster Alun Ebenezer is also recording a regular podcast and has sent families advice on how to cope.
In his message Dawson, who was part of England’s Rugby World Cup-winning team in 2003, said he wanted to “make sure everybody is staying safe,” while emphasising the importance of accepting adversity.
He said: “Just use all the time you have over the next few weeks to get better and better every day so when you get back as a team you are going to be awesome.”
Walker passed on advice he learnt from interviewing Michael Jordan and Serena Williams, who told him how important learning from failure is, while the Fulham and Chelsea MP said: “By working together we will get through this.”
