Jimmy happy to be on call!
GOPPERTH URGES PEOPLE TO PICK UP THE PHONE AS CAMPAIGN GAINS MOMENTUM
ACAMPAIGN launched by Wasps to help combat loneliness and isolation during the Covid-19 crisis continues to sweep through the rugby world and beyond.
The Premiership club devised the #Makethatcall campaign with the aim of supporting their fans during this lockdown period.
From NHS workers, to other critical key works, and vulnerable people including the elderly, #Makethatcall encourages people to connect.
Long-serving Wasp Jimmy Gopperth was the latest to get involved, calling life-long Wasps supporter, Peter Keith to wish him a happy 85th birthday.
Peter’s daughter, Alex had heard about the #Makethatcall campaign and not being able to celebrate his milestone birthday due to self-isolating rules, she wanted to make his day feel special.
She said: “It’s a really tough time for everyone at the moment and just to hear a friendly voice is so important.
“When I heard about the campaign, I wanted to do something nice for my dad who has supported Wasps all his life.
“My love of rugby is inspired by my father. I think it’s great what Premiership Rugby teams across the country are doing, and to remind us all that we can do our bit too by simply picking up the phone or texting someone to make them feel connected at such an uncertain time.
“Dad was over the moon to speak to Jimmy.”
Exeter-based Peter was delighted when he picked up the phone and spoke to Jimmy.
He said: “I went to my first Wasps game when I was 11 and to receive a call like this really made my day.”
Gopperth, who moved into the top 10 Premiership point scorers of all time with a flurry of scores prior to the suspension of the rugby season, encouraged others to pick up the phone.
He said: “Peter has supported Wasps for more than 70 years – to be able to give something back to him just with a simple call really brought home to me the power of such a gesture that we take for granted.
“So please do pick up the phone and #Makethatcall to someone you think would appreciate it.
“That is what this club is all about,” he added.
Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, Saracens, Bath Rugby and Gloucester Rugby are among Premiership Rugby clubs to join the #Makethatcall campaign, as coronavirus grips the world and the UK is self-isolating.
Led by Wasps, the Premiership clubs wanted to help ease the pain that isolation can cause and encourage everyone to #Makethatcall to their elderly relatives, friends and neighbours as well as to people who are doing all they can to help contribute to the national fight against the virus.
Craig Doyle, presenter of BT Sport’s Premiership Rugby coverage, added: “The simple action of just picking up the phone is what this campaign is all about.
“As a nation, never before have we needed to come together so much as we do now.
“Calling each other with messages of encouragement and friendship is exactly what we need to get us through the coming weeks.
“On a personal level, my own mother is currently isolated by herself and a call like this would bring much needed positivity to her day, a simple call has enormous benefits.
“I’m so proud to be involved and urge everyone to pick up the phone and call someone who will appreciate it. You might feel weird or selfconscious doing it, but don’t worry, it will only bring positivity to you and the person you call. Self-isolation doesn’t mean we have to be alone. It’s easy enough to #Makethatcall.”
Premiership Rugby CEO, Darren Childs, endorsed #Makethatcall: “I’m so proud of this campaign from Premiership Rugby’s players and clubs who support their communities right across the country. The past weeks have been tough for us all, but making these calls to our supporters, and hearing these heartwarming stories have kept us all going. We can all make a difference to someone, and we hope to support many more people over the coming weeks with this campaign.”
Spread the word, post on Social Media accounts the calls you make using #Makethatcall and nominate someone else to do the same.
I went to my first Wasps game when I was 11 and to receive a call like this really made my day. Peter Keith