CORNWALL'S most famous rugby player and England regular, Phil Vickery, who hails from Kilkhampton, has helped launch a new rugby shirt that will raise funds to aid two-year-old meningitis victim Marshall Janson.

Marshall lost both his hands and both his legs last year following an attack of meningitis, four days after his first birthday.

The Handstand Appeal, set up to raise funds to buy Marshall prosthetic limbs, aims to raise between £850,000 and £950,000. The costs are so high because Marshall's prosthetic limbs will have to be changed constantly as he grows — as often as once a year.

The new shirt, a striking Cornish design by Hudson Armstrong, will be sold alongside the Handstand Appeal's original rugby shirt which was launched last month, and sold out almost immediately.

Appeal co-ordinator, Gerry Reilly, said: "Our first batch of 260 shirts sold out in three weeks. We needed a second shirt because we have two teams representing the Handstand Harlequins taking part in the Penryn Sevens Tournament this Easter Sunday. It promises to be a great rugby day out."

Marshall and his mum and dad, Stephanie and Moss, met Phil to launch the new shirt — which Phil's clothing company, Raging Bull, is manufacturing on behalf of the appeal.

Stephanie said: "It was such a pleasure to meet Phil and he was so kind to Marshall. He gave him two special little shirts of his own."

Gerry added: "Phil has supported the appeal since it was set up and Raging Bull provided the kit for the Handstand Harlequins when they made their first appearance at Penryn last year. It is marvellous to have him as the face of Handstand Rugby."

Phil said: "I think that the Handstand Appeal is doing a great job in raising funds to help Marshall, and also helping to raise awareness about meningitis. As a dad, I know that meningitis is every parents worst nightmare.

"Marshall is a very brave little boy and it was a great pleasure to finally meet him – we had great fun playing throw and catch with his mini Redruth rugby ball."

Marshall and his family were guests of honour at the Cornwall Cup match between Redruth and Launceston, which took place at Launceston's Polson Bridge ground recently.