The HANDSTAND appeal has agreed a three year sponsorship package with Skinner’s Brewery.

The appeal will be launching a HANDSTAND rugby shirt in January, which will carry the Skinner’s logo.

In addition, Skinner’s will produce a ‘limited edition’ beer every year over the three year period, with the first beer, named ‘HANDSTAND Hooch’, going on sale this Christmas.

The appeal is for Marshall Janson, and 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.

Marshall, from Carharrack, was rushed into hospital following an attack of Meningococcal Meningitis just after his first birthday. While he escaped brain damage he has had to have both his hands and both his legs amputated.

Marshall now faces a lifetime of rehabilitation while adapting to the use of prosthetic limbs.

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.

Steve Skinner said: “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, said: “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 who have also agreed to donate the actual playing shirts for the HANDSTAND Harlequins Rugby team, who will be appearing at a number of Rugby 7s 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.

Gerry Reilly, co-ordinator of the HANDSTAND Appeal, said: “We are just thrilled to be in partnership with Skinner’s, Samurai and Lovell’s, and immensely grateful for their generosity and support.”

The former England full-back, Simon Hodgkinson, who is a Director of Samurai, said: “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.”

The HANDSTAND Harlequins were set up by Richard Jackson as a vehicle to raise funds and create awareness about the Appeal. The initiative received the immediate endorsement of Phil Vickery, Cornwall’s own ‘Raging Bull’, who said: “As a Dad I worry about Meningitis because I know the devastating effect it can have.”

The Harlequins will take to the field next year – in their brand new kit – at both the Penryn 7s at Easter and the Newquay Surf 7s in July.

Richard said: “We want the HANDSTAND Harlequins to be an invitation team, in the same mould as the Barbarians. We already have commitments from Harvey Thorneycroft (ex Northampton Saints and England ‘A’ centre), Mark Mapletoft (former London Irish and England ‘A’, now England U20 coach), Jason Forster (ex Newport-Gwent Dragons and Wales flanker), and Andy Deacon (former Gloucester, England ‘A’ and Barbarians prop), to play for the team on Easter Sunday at the Penryn 7s.”

Gerry Reilly said: “The support we have had from the rugby community has been astonishing. Our shirt will also carry the logo of Redruth Rugby Club and we have incorporated this as recognition for the tremendous support which the Club has given us.”

Redruth RFC announced in September that they were ‘adopting’ Marshall, and planning a number of fundraising activities and events on his behalf. To date, the Club has incorporated the HANDSTAND Appeal logo on its shirt, they have elected Marshall ‘Honorary Junior Vice President’, and they have unveiled a 20” x 3” HANDSTAND Appeal hoarding at the ground. Next February, the first team are planning a 100,000 metre Sponsored Row.

Dave Penberthy, Director of Rugby at Redruth RFC said: “As a club, and as a group of players and coaches, we are delighted to support the Appeal for Marshall. If anything was needed to give the team inspiration for the new season, it is the courage of this little boy, and the strength and dedication of his family and friends. We have many people at the cClub who are parents and we cannot even begin to imagine the agony and anguish that his parents and family have endured. We are determined to do all we can to help.”