Jack plays fairy godfather

Matthew Arding, 17, and Stefan Shepherd, 16, will be in Nuremberg, Germany on June 15 to watch David Beckham and teammates in action against Trinidad and Tobago thanks to Warner’s intervention.

Both boys contacted the Bournemouth based charity, Round Table Children’s Wish, who make wishes come true for children with life-threatening illnesses, requesting to see England play in the World Cup.

RTCW officials had no luck acquiring tickets when they contacted the English FA and were running out of hope.

But their prayers were answered when they got in touch with Mike Berry, who acts as the international relations consultant for the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.

Berry swiftly made the boys’ plight known to Warner who immediately arranged for four tickets to be made available to Matthew, Stefan and their dads.

Stefan, who lives in Nottingham, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was two months old and underwent a liver transplant when he was ten.

On hearing the news that he was going to Germany, Stefan said, “I am very excited. I have not seen England play before and I am looking forward to seeing my favourite player, Frank Lampard.”

His father Ian added, “This is like winning the lottery and I can’t thank Mr Warner enough for giving Stefan this one-in-a-million chance to see England play in the World Cup Finals.

“We’re both Nottingham Forest fans and will be looking forward to seeing Trinidad striker Stern John again because he once played for Forest but we will be supporting England.”

Matthew, who lives in Southampton, was diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma in both eyes, which is an inherited form of eye cancer that appears in the retina. He has lost one eye and has only partial sight in the other.

He said: “I didn’t know anything like this was going to happen. When my family told me yesterday I thought it was a wind up.

“I am very grateful for what Mr Warner and the Round Table Children’s Wish have done because I’ve never had the chance to see England play before.” Paul Arding, father of young Matthew also expressed gratitude for the offer.

“Matthew was beaming like a Cheshire cat when we told him the news. We are both really looking forward to the match.”

Stuart King, General Secretary of RTCW also praised Warner for his kindness particularly as he was aware of all the other demands for tickets around these times.

“We so very much appreciate what Mr Warner has done for making these wishes comes true for Stefan and Matthew.

Without his help these boys would never have got to the World Cup Finals.”

The RTCW has been in operation for over 16 years and has now made nearly 1000 wishes come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Warner is also assisting in ensuring that similar causes are assisted in TT as the country prepares to extend all their support to the Soca Warriors in Germany.