Gareth Southgate calls and Stuart Broad bowls – Thursday’s goodwill stories

Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to help their local communities – and find new ways to amuse themselves – during the coronavirus pandemic.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from May 21.

Football

England boss Gareth Southgate, who was set to name his Euro 2020 squad this week, checked in on two NHS frontline workers.

Southgate called Three Lions fans Luke Taylor, a podiatry manager in Manchester, and Lucy Gilpin, a nurse at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

He said: “We know the opportunity for our players to represent England on the European stage will come again but for now it’s important the nation gets behind those playing their part in helping to return society to a sense of normality.

“It was a great to make a call to Luke and Lucy and hear how they are coping during this period of adversity; something that I know thousands of others throughout the country can relate to.”

England internationals Harry Kane, Millie Bright, Tyrone Mings and Ben Chilwell also did the same.

Kane was also enjoying what he does best at the Tottenham training ground, where Spurs boss Jose Mourinho enjoyed a cycle.

In Mental Health Awareness week, Tottenham forward Lucas Moura sent a pair of his boots to young Spurs fan called Lucas, who drew on his own experience of self-isolating during chemotherapy to offer advice to others on coping with self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ex-Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips took part in a Skype seminar on the potential positive impact of sport on mental health.

Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher completed a run to raise funds for the NHS.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was reliving the Red Devils’ Champions League final victory over Chelsea in 2008.

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay was showing off his talents with a golf club.

England seamer Stuart Broad was back at Trent Bridge training.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen lost his head on TikTok.

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury continued to work out with an Instagram live audience.

Athletics

Dina Asher-Smith was back on the track.

The Hannover Drive-in Darts Gala was announced to take place on June 24 with Michael Van Gerwen and Raymond Van Barneveld among the field. A VIP ticket includes a parking space in the first row, a photo with the players around your car, with one of the stars cleaning your windscreen!

World number one Van Gerwen is raring to go.