IN HIS first exclusive column in the Daily Echo, Cherries star Charlie Daniels talks Captain Tom Moore, injury rehab and home schooling.

Hello everyone,

I would like to say I hope everyone is safe and well in this difficult period of our lives. This is hopefully something we should only see once in our lifetime, so I urge everyone to follow government guidelines and STAY HOME, PROTECT THE NHS & SAVE LIVES!

Bournemouth Echo:

Everyone who works in the NHS fighting this battle on the front lines are true heroes and we are truly indebted to them. The Premier League players have partnered with NHSCT to raise money for those who risk their lives every day. I have no doubt we will raise a lot of money but whether we will get close to the achievements of Captain Tom Moore is another thing.

Captain Tom, who is 99 years old, has been walking lengths in his garden and has stolen the hearts of the nation raising more than £26million. Personally, I would like to thank Captain Tom, and all of you who have donated, for spreading this positive story in this dark time.Bournemouth Echo: Captain Tom MooreCaptain Tom Moore

The WW2 veteran will be celebrating his 100th birthday on April 30. My family and I will be sending a card with our birthday wishes. I would also like to echo the thoughts of many wishing that Captain Tom receives the recognition he deserves by receiving a knighthood.

If you would like to send Captain Tom a birthday card, here is the address: Captain Tom Moore, C/O Post Office Limited, 67 Bedford Road, Marston Moretaine, MK43 0LA, Bedfordshire, England.

As we’re in lockdown for a few more weeks, I think it’s a great time to learn something new. I’ve always wanted to speak another language so I’m learning Italian.

A few of my other teammates are learning Spanish with help from Diego Rico and Jefferson Lerma. This period can be very hard especially for your mental health.

I ask everyone to try something new for the next week, stick with it and please send me what you have learned or done via my email, Instagram or Twitter.

A lot of people have been asking me about my rehab especially now the training ground is closed.

This has helped and hindered the rehabilitation process as every week that goes by without a match, I’m one week closer to getting back, which is a plus, but not having a physio with me daily is a minus.

My physio, Matt Best, is a great communicator and sends me an itinerary every morning for scheduled FaceTime sessions, like the one below.

Bournemouth Echo:

We as a club have had a few challenges sent by our head of sports science, Dan Hodges.

These were 5km run, 5km bike, 10km bike and a push up exercise called Sally up/Sally down. Special mention to Junior Stanislas who got 2 minutes 54 seconds in Sally up/Sally down.

This week alongside the rehab, my wife and I have been homeschooling our son. Like most parents we were worried about how it will work and if we could manage being a teacher ourselves. After a few tantrums and tears (mainly from me) we have coped pretty well with help from the teachers and are learning new things alongside our son. I have the upmost respect for the teachers and how they can get a class of 20-30 pupils to concentrate for long periods is a real talent and skill as I’m struggling with one!

If you have any questions that you would like me to answer or anything you would like me to write about please send them to:

Stay Safe

Charlie Daniels