ONE IS a former Hampshire cricketer who captained the national side in more than 30 Test matches.

The other is a 100-year-old ex-soldier who became a national icon after raising £39m for the NHS by completing 100 laps of his garden.

Now David Gower and Sir Tom Moore are backing an attempt to scale Britain's three tallest mountains in a deep-sea diving suit.

Veteran fundraiser Lloyd Scott, 58, will don the 130lb costume in aid of the Lord's Taverners, which helps disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK.

The three men met up at Sir Tom's home in Bedfordshire to discuss the 23-mile challenge.

Gower, 63, is the new president of the Lord's Taverners, which fears the loneliness experienced by many young people has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The former batsman said: "Captain Tom understands that loneliness creeps in at a certain age – but it can strike at any age.

“Thousands of disabled and disadvantaged young people have been isolated by the pandemic and we as a charity have been limited by what we can do to help people.

“To have someone as inspirational as Tom, at his age, to be using the phrase ‘tomorrow will be a good day’ is very, very valuable.”

Gower, who lives near Romsey, has succeeded former ITN newscaster Sir Trevor McDonald as president of the Lord's Taverners.

He said: "I’ve seen the joy on the faces of kids who would otherwise have no involvement in sport so I’m fully behind everything they do."

After making his debut for Leicestershire in 1975 Gower received his England call-up just three years later.

He was appointed England captain in 1983, serving for three years before returning as skipper in 1989. He moved to Hampshire the following year and played for the county side for three years.

When he retired he was the leading Test run scorer in English history.

Lloyd Scott is aims to complete the Three Peaks challenge next month by scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon.

He has been raising funds for more than 30 years and wore a diving suit while taking part in 2002 London Marathon.