With our great nation and many others poised to support our respective sporting heroes at the Euro 2020 football tournament the news we all feared was confirmed. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship was to be postponed until June 2021.
So during the Summer of 2020 the FA supported by the England National team and members past and present decided to dedicate this unexpected free time to a good cause. The Lionhearts campaign is to pay homage to the heroes that have emerged during the pandemic. Honouring inspirational individuals who have gone above and beyond during the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shirt Framing Service
The FA are selecting a squad of 23 #Lionhearts, shining lights in these dark times. People who inspire and encourage and it has been our great privilege and honour to be a small part of this worthwhile endeavour.
Each Lionheart is to be featured on the FA and England Football Team social media feeds and will be gifted a framed England football shirt with their unique Lionheart squad number.
The Shirt Framing Service is pleased to announce that we were selected as the framing partner for the FA for each and every shirt to be gifted to the Lionhearts. You can find out more about the Lionhearts on the official England FA website.
Meet The Lionhearts
The first of these Lionhearts was the great Captain Tom Moore, if you don’t know this name by now where have you been this year? The war veteran who is 100 years old and Guinness World Record-breaking fundraiser raised nearly £33 million for UK health charities during lockdown by completing laps of his garden.
Sir Tom as he is now, was made honourary captain of the team of inspirational Lionheart figures, receiving his distinction from former England skipper David Beckham.
Every team needs a captain.
Introducing the first inspirational member of our #Lionhearts: @captaintommoore 🙌
We asked a #ThreeLions icon – and former skipper himself – to welcome him to the squad… 👀 pic.twitter.com/3RKfWZdgQu
— England (@England) July 11, 2020
Tobias was the second worthy member of the Lionhearts squad. Inspired by Captain Tom, Tobias is attempting to walk a marathon to raise money for charity. Tobias is 9 and has cerebral palsy and needs to use a walker to walk!
We’re so proud to have you in our squad of #Lionhearts, @CaptainTobias9 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6cKf1jSlr0
— England (@England) August 7, 2020
Hassan Akkad was next up, a Bafta/Emmy award-winning filmmaker and photographer. Hassan volunteered as a cleaner at his local hospital, Whipps Cross in east London, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The refugee who arrived in Britain 5 years ago from Syria was instrumental in causing a government policy u-turn which excluded hospital porters and cleaners from an NHS bereavement scheme should they die of COVID-19.
Introducing the third member of our #Lionhearts squad: @hassan_akkad!
Nominated – and welcomed to the team – by former #ThreeLions defender @JoleonLescott 😃 pic.twitter.com/oCpQ4PksLY
— England (@England) August 12, 2020
Betty-Leigh Is just 5 years old and but has cycled 100 miles in 100 days for @GHHospice, a massive football fan she was wearing a different football shirt everyday💜England lionheart squad no.5 ♥️
We’re so proud to have you in our squad of #Lionhearts, @AllinsonBetty!
Have an amazing trip to @DisneylandParis 😍
— England (@England) August 17, 2020
Daniel Sukula is helping youngsters from all walks of life in his home town of Bolton with his Be The Best community company.
Striving to make a difference and inspire Bolton’s next generation 👏
Our fifth #Lionhearts member is the brilliant @daniel_sukula – and @EmileHeskeyUK was on hand to welcome him to the squad! pic.twitter.com/7sECTI1LuC
— England (@England) August 23, 2020
Joe Wickes inspired a nation to get active during lockdown with his weekday PE inspired lessons. His mission; to make the world fitter, healthier and happier.
From one number 🔟 to another.
Introducing our newest #Lionhearts member: @thebodycoach
Thanks for helping us welcome him to the team, @WayneRooney 👊 pic.twitter.com/YbmzvBK3gO
— England (@England) September 12, 2020
Dima Aktaa, has one simple dream. During the conflict in Syria Dima, suffered a terrible injury that led to the loss of her leg; now living in the UK, Dima has set her sights on a clear and definite dream: To Run Again.
Welcomed to our squad of #Lionhearts by @Lionesses striker @ellsbells89!
We’re so proud to have you on the team, @dima_aktaa ❤️
— England (@England) September 28, 2020
