HANDSTAND – The Appeal for Marshall Janson, was launched in March to raise funds to buy prosthetic limbs for little Marshall, now 21 months old, who lost both his hands and both his legs following an attack of Meningitis last Boxing Day.

The Appeal needs to raise £850,000-£950,000 over the next 16 years, the aim being to attempt to secure the best possible quality of life for Marshall. Last month the Appeal reached £80,000 and hopes to reach £100,000 by Christmas.

Commented Steve Skinner, “We are absolutely delighted to be associated with the HANDSTAND Appeal for the next three years. We are particularly pleased to be supporting such a worthwhile, local cause.” Marshall’s Dad, Moss Janson, told the West Briton, “We are so grateful – to have Skinner’s name on our Rugby Shirt, and to have our own beer – that’s pretty awesome!”

The HANDSTAND Rugby Shirt is being designed by Hudson Armstrong Design. It will be manufactured by Samurai, the leading manufacturer of Rugby kit in the UK, who supply Redruth RFC and the Cornish Pirates as well as many leading Rugby Clubs throughout the UK. Samurai have also agreed to donate the actual playing shirts for the HANDSTAND Harlequins Rugby team, who will be appearing at a number of Rugby 7’s events next year. The Shirt will go on sale in January and will be distributed by Lovell Rugby, the UK’s largest on line retailer of Rugby Shirts. Lovell’s have agreed to buy the first 100 Shirts.

Said Gerry Reilly, co-ordinator of the HANDSTAND Appeal, “We are just thrilled to be in partnership with Skinner’s, Samurai and Lovell’s, and immensely grateful for their generosity and support. The Rugby community has been very good to us and we hope that when our Rugby Shirt goes on sale in January it will prove to be extremely popular.”

The former England full-back, Simon Hodgkinson, who is a Director of Samurai, said, “Samurai is delighted to be involved in the HANDSTAND Appeal for Marshall. I hope that the Rugby Shirts we have donated and the HANDSTAND Harlequins team itself will raise awareness for this brilliant cause and in turn help Marshall and his family as he grows up.” Bob Lovell, of Lovell Rugby, added, “Likewise, we are very happy to be supporting the HANDSTAND Appeal. In addition to selling the Shirts, we will be promoting the Appeal through our website and promotional literature.”