Former England cricketer Ian Botham will be bowled over when he hears that York-based supermarket chain Costcutter intend to stump up £60,000 sponsorship for his charity walk from London to John O'Groats.

The idea came from cricket crazy managing director Colin Graves who decided to combine his love of the game with a charitable cause, in this case Leukaemia Research.

But neither Colin nor the company whose headquarters are at Common Road in Dunnington are strangers to fundraising.

This year Costcutter has also chosen to back the Bunbury Cricket Club, which makes money for charities such as Cancer Research, Mencap and Make A Wish, by encouraging celebrities to take up the wicket.

Gary Lineker, Bill Wyman and Joanna Lumley are among the famous batsmen for the Bunbury side.

Mr Graves, who has played cricket for Dunnington for the last 25 years, said it was through his cricketing that he got to know BothamHe said: "When I met him he came across as very genuine and does a very good job for an extremely worthwhile cause.

"By sponsoring cricket it gives us a chance to put something back into the game as well as help charities.

"We are delighted to be involved in publicising Ian's walk next Spring which we hope will enable many more funds to be raised for the Leukaemia Research Association."

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