Rugby League's most-capped English player, James Graham, has become the first official patron of a West Cumbrian charity.
Mr Graham, a former player and captain of St Helens and is now skipper of Australian team Canterbury Bulldogs, has thrown his support behind Team Evie.
The player, whose dad John hails from Maryport and is related to Greg Johnston, of Great Broughton, who set up the charity with wife Jill, after the death of their daughter Evie.
Mr Graham given the charity his $1,000 man-of-the-match winnings from a game against Brisbane Broncos, played on what would have been Evie's second birthday.
Mr Johnston said: “ James is a genuine world sports star and we are incredibly proud to have him in Team Evie. We already have some exciting events planned with him for when he is back in the country towards the end of the year.”
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