Bolton legend has joined volunteers’ army helping Britain battle deadly bug
England women’s cricket captain, Heather Knight, has also joined the army of NHS volunteers. “I signed up because I want to help as much as I can,” said Knight. “My brother and his partner are doctors, and I have friends who work in the NHS, so I know how difficult it is
for everyone.”
KEVIN DAVIES spent his professional football career on the frontline.
The former Bolton Wanderers legend shouldered the burden for club and country, taking responsibility at the sharp end.
Perhaps that’s why it was an easy decision for the former targetman to put himself in the firing line when the government issued its call for volunteers this week.
Davies celebrated his 43rd birthday by signing up to help the people’s army who have mobilised behind the NHS to provide much-needed support services.
More than 670,000 generous souls have agreed to give up their time – and Davies was happy to be one of them.
He said: “I don’t know if it was the values instilled in me when I was a youngster, growing up on a council estate where there really was a strong sense of community, but I wanted to do my bit.
“So, when I saw the government were asking for help, I had a look at what was involved and put my name down.
“I just thought to myself, ‘I can help with getting shopping for vulnerable people. I can talk to someone on the phone if they are down or struggling. I can go and get prescriptions for people or medication if they are sick’.
“So, I applied – and, 24 hours later, I was accepted.
“Once you are a volunteer, you are asked to contribute using an app on your phone.
“They ask if you can make a call or pick up medication. If you can, you accept the job. If you can’t, they will give you another one.
“It could be something as simple as contacting someone who’s living on their own to see how they are doing. You hope you are making a difference.
“But I don’t want it to sound like I’m doing anything heroic. I’m one of thousands who have put themselves forward.
“However, if it raises awareness and eases the burden on someone else, then I think it’s just a nice thing to do for the greater good.” Davies earned a reputation as a barnstorming forward during a career that sparked into life when he reached the FA Cup semi-finals with Chesterfield as a teenager. Big-money moves to
Southampton and Blackburn followed, but his spiritual home remains at Bolton where he spent a decade, picking up a solitary England cap after coming on as a substitute against Montenegro, 10 years ago.
Since retiring from the game five years back, following a 22-year career as a player, the dad-of-four has turned his hand to a number of ventures.
He managed nonLeague Southport for six months, but most recently has completed a Masters degree in Sports Directorship at Manchester Metropolitan University.
He is currently weighing up his options and with the time he has available he has chosen to put it to good use.
It’s not the first time that Davies has put himself out to work for others.
He formed a foundation, called ‘Kids of Bolton’, and raised more than £250,000 for good causes while
DOB 26 March 1977
Place of birth Sheffield
Position Striker
Senior league career Years Team Apps 1993–1997 Chesterfield 129 1997–1998 Soton 25 1998–1999 Blackburn 23 1999–2003 Soton 82 2002 Millwall (loan) 9 2003–2013 Bolton 351 2013–2015 Preston 70 Total 689
International
England (1 cap)
Goals 22
9
1
10
3
74
4 123 at the Reebok Stadium. And it’s always been clear that Davies was a football ‘hardman’ with a soft side. While at the Reebok, the striker also adopted two donkeys from a local sanctuary.
He said: “As footballers, you are asked to go into schools, hospitals and hospices. Some lads struggled a bit – not because they weren’t good people – but because they perhaps didn’t have the experience in life to be comfortable in that situation.
“I think it helped that I was a parent for most of my time up there. For instance, I knew how to hold a baby. So, for me, it was never a chore.
“And the strange thing was that you would visit these places and people would think you’re inspiring the people there. What happens is the opposite. You come out, having been inspired by them.
“So when I was at Bolton, myself and my wife Emma set up ‘Kids of Bolton’ where we raised money for a variety of good causes.
“People could apply to us if they needed funding for a piece of equipment at school or help with coaching – anything where we felt we could make a difference.
“I also did some work with The Prince’s Trust, working in groups. It’s given me a greater understanding of some of the challenges other people face.
“And I’m very fortunate. Myself, my wife Emma and our four kids are healthy and have a good life.
“There’s been so much bad news around that, honestly, I thought lending a hand again now was the least I could do.”