Jamiroquai keyboard player, Matt Johnson has put his name to the Echo backed Youth Cancer Trust Appeal 2008.

Christchurch-born Matt has been a patron of the YCT for the past four years.

He said: "The Youth Cancer Trust is a fantastic charity and I want to do anything I can help to raise the appeal target of £250,000 and also make people in the area aware of the great work they do for young people with cancer. They need all our help to keep going.

"I played at the YCT tenth anniversary ball in 2007 and was blown away by the courage these young people show whilst battling this horrible illness. I'm a parent and like all parents it's my worst nightmare that something like this could happen to my child. It's great that there are charities out there like YCT who really care for these young people Matt has been a member of Jamiroquai for the past 5 years and is involved with many music projects which take him all over the world.

"We are really grateful to Matt for endorsing the YCT and putting his name to the appeal"said Georgina Hillman, of the Youth Cancer Trust.

We know he's really busy and can't be here all the time, but he always takes a great interest in what we're doing. The youngsters love the fact we have a pop star as a patron!"