Maro Itoje Makes the Call
One person who’s been aware how important spreading joy to those in isolation, is England and Saracens star Maro Itoje.
He has been video calling frontline workers, older fans and also RFU Injured Players Foundation clients stuck at home.
“I acknowledge that I am in a privileged position to play rugby for England, and I am aware of the impact that has on a lot of people," said Itoje.
“Coronavirus quarantine has had large ramifications on everyone but some more so than others. Having the opportunity to speak to a few fans who are in tricky situations and hopefully brighten up their day a little bit was the very least I could do - I really enjoyed it too!”
Adam Durbin, a prop at Kings College Hospital RFC, was recovering at home from coronavirus, having been working as a staff nurse caring for affected patients when Maro called to wish him well and have a chat.
Mum of two, Dani Watts, a personal trainer seriously injured playing for Rams rugby club in 2017, was in training for the London Marathon in her wheelchair when the event was cancelled. She was fundraising for the IPF.
“Maro called me at about quarter past eight at night and we were getting ready for bed," said Watts.
"I hadn’t even brushed my hair! There he was with a cheesy grin and it was great to have him take the time out. Things like that really make a difference.
“My eight-year-old son Freddie was with me and he was blown away and then my daughter Lillie-Rose, who’s ten, peered over to see Maro. We were talking about being isolated and the fact we both have a gym at home. It was really enjoyable.
“The IPF have been fantastic too. With another injured player I’m running a PT session via skype for the guys and we have a WhatsApp group making sure everyone is all right. I’m due to marry my partner, Peter, on July 9th and I’m just keeping my fingers crossed it can go ahead. You want it even more when you think it might not happen.”
Duncan Campbell, another IPF client, who’s a huge Sarries fan also got a call.
“I didn’t recognise the number so I missed it but then it rang again and it was amazing, there was Maro on a video call,” he said. "I was so glad he called me back. It really cheered me up and I just felt really privileged.
“He was on the call for about 20 minutes and it seemed like that was no problem for him, that he was happy to talk. He came across as so down to earth.”
Duncan, who was seriously injured playing for Cobham in 2009, is now 46 and has been a great Saracens supporter since he was 19.
“I’ve followed the club for more than 20 years and getting that call from Maro was brilliant. It really lifted my mood.”
The IPF supports everyone catastrophically injured training or playing rugby in England. To discover more about their work visit https://www.rfuipf.org.uk
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