England rugby stars support new children's book in aid of NHS
England trio George Kruis, Tom Curry and Anthony Watson are among a host of sports stars featured in a new children’s e-book.
The children’s illustrated e-book launches on Tuesday - with all sale proceeds going to NHS Charities Together.
The Nightingales’ Song (£3.99, Upside Down Books/Trigger Publishing, ages 5+) is an enchanting illustrated e-book written by Head of Sixth Form Phil Clegg, who came up with the idea after his pupils’ A-levels this summer were cancelled due to coronavirus.
The idea crystallised after a chance conversation with Prof. James Calder, lead clinician at the Nightingale NHS Hospital, London and, with the help and support of Professor Calder, he recruited some of the UK’s biggest sports stars onto the project.
'Stars of the game'
The beautifully illustrated short story takes its lead from classic children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, and tells the tale of the Nightingales, the underdog team in football, cricket and rugby as they play against the Badgers, the Bucks, and the Squirrels in the Champions’ Cup. In order to improve, Ed Nightingale seeks the advice of some real world sporting talents.
The Nightingales take this advice on board and perform better than they ever have, but are still not quite good enough to win the cup. Then, before the final awards ceremony, a storm strikes that puts everything at risk. Working as a team, with advice from the sporting legends, the Nightingales’ song calms the storm and, as a rainbow appears, all can celebrate.
Sports stars featured include England footballers Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Watford) and Jack Wilshere (West Ham), England cricketers Joe Root (captain of the Test Team and Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham) and Danni Wyatt (Sussex, Southern Vipers and member of 2017 England Women’s Cricket World Cup winning squad), and England’s rugby stars.
'Teamwork is everything'
“I like to think that no matter who I’m representing, I prioritise my team and teammates - this is a core message in this fabulous book,” said Watson. “Teamwork is everything and the rewards you get from it are better than anything you do as an individual.
“Alongside this the story allows children to see that giving of yourself for the benefit of others is something we should all do when we can. Combining the messaging with the fact it is raising money for the NHS is awesome.”
Kruis added: “Phil and Laura have created a book that combine a fantastic story with brilliant illustrations. It includes sport, including some very talented rugby-playing badgers (who may even give the Lions a match), singing, thrilling matches, the importance of teamwork, violent storms, a happy ending and it is all aid of the NHS – what’s not to like?
“I encourage everyone to go out and buy the book even if you don’t have a young child! In buying the book you are helping the true heroes of the moment: our NHS workers.”
And Curry also said: “Throughout my rugby career there have been massive highs as well as some challenging moments that I have had to work through with my teammates and coaches.
“I have always worked very hard and listened to the advice of my coaches and this has been key to me fulfilling my ultimate sporting goal of playing for England.
“This superb story tells this is in a way children will understand and will illustrations they will love. England, the Badgers and the All Blacks maybe great teams, but, at the current time, it is clear that the Nightingales are the best team of all.”
All proceeds from sales of The Nightingales’ Song will go to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal. Funds from the appeal are granted to member NHS charities, numbering over 200 charities across the UK. At the time of the publication of the e-book, NHS Charities Together has granted £20 million to the NHS.
The Nightingales’ Song by Phil Clegg, with illustrations by Laura Hutchinson, £3.99, for ages 5+, published by Upside Down Books/Trigger Publishing, is available on Tuesday from all major e-retailers, including Amazon, Google Play Store and Apple Books.
