Meningitis victim Marshall Janson with mum and dad, Stephanie and Moss, meet some of the biggest names in the rugby and entertainment worlds. Rick Stein and Matt Dawson hold the Handstand Appeal rugby shirt, flanked by Simon Easterby, left, and Keith Wood. They met prior to the “Evening With Rick Stein,” which raised £12,000 for Redruth Rugby Youth Development and the Handstand Appeal in aid of Marshal.

Rugby shirts sponsored by Cornwall’s Skinners Brewery helped raised £12,000 in a mammoth fund-raising event in aid of rugby at Redruth and a little boy facing a lifetime of struggle.

Some of the game’s biggest names attended a black tie dinner for 180 people at the Royal Cornwall Showground in aid of Redruth Rugby Club Youth Development and the Handstand Appeal for two-year-old meningitis victim Marshall Janson.

The meal was prepared by Rick Stein’s team of chefs from The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and the gala event was compered by Matt Dawson, the former England and British Lions star and current BBC “Question of Sport” captain. Matt was joined by rugby legends Keith Wood, Simon Easterby and Nick Beal.

Eighteen of the Handstand rugby shirts sponsored by Skinners Brewery as part of a three-year support package were auctioned along with 18 signed rugby balls, together raising £1,895. The shirt has been created for the Appeal’s own rugby team.

Ahead of the big dinner, Marshall and his parents met the rugby celebrities and Rick Stein in his restaurant.

Rick declared: “One of the most courageous youngsters I know of is Marshall Janson. He’s a local Cornish boy and faces a lifetime of struggle. I am personally delighted to be involved in supporting this inspiring little boy.”

Marshal has lost both his hands and both his legs. He has been “adopted” by the Redruth club and elected honorary junior vice president.