CAUSE FOR CHEER. Left to right, Stephanie Harris and Moss Janson, their son Marshall, Skinners Brewery managing director Simon Bray and chief executive Steve Skinner

Skinners Brewery has agreed a three-year sponsorship package for the Handstand Appeal, which is raising money for a 21-month-old meningitis victim who has lost his hands and legs.

Three days after his first birthday last December, Marshall Janson, of Carharrack in Cornwall, was rushed to hospital and had to have both his hands and both his legs amputated.

He now needs at least one new pair of prosthetic hands and one new pair of legs, at least once a year, every year until he is 18.

To this end, the Handstand Appeal has been set up with a target of raising up to £950,000 over the next 16 years, and it is hoped to reach £100,000 by this Christmas.

As part of its sponsorship, Skinners will produce a limited edition beer every year for the three years, starting with “Handstand Hooch” going on sale this Christmas.

The Cornish brewery’s logo will also feature on a special Handstand rugby shirt to be launched in January.

“We are absolutely delighted to be associated with the Handstand Appeal for the next three years,” said chief executive Steve Skinner.  “We are particularly pleased to be supporting such a worthwhile local cause.”

Marshall’s dad, Moss Janson, said:  “We are so grateful.  To have Skinners’ name on our rugby shirt and to have our own beer is pretty awesome!”

The rugby shirts go on sale in January and manufacturers Samurai are donating free of charge the actual playing kit to the Handstand Harlequins rugby team, which has been set up by Richard Jackson as a vehicle for raising funds and awareness for the Appeal.