CRICKETING legend Sir Ian Botham is going into bat for a charity which provides home-based hospice care.

He will be the guest of honour at a sportsman’s dinner for Herriot Hospice Homecare, after approaching the charity to offer his services.

Money raised at the event in the Black Bull in Moulton on December 3 will help to fund the care and support services Herriot provides to people with life limiting illnesses in Richmondshire and Hambleton.

Guests at the evening will be treated to a three-course meal, followed by a question and answer session with Sir Ian.

There will also be a raffle and auction, with prizes including an afternoon tea and tour of the House of Lords courtesy of charity patron Baroness Angela Harris, a private lunch or dinner with Sir Ian at the Black Bull, and two hospitality tickets for a Yorkshire Cricket Club match at Headingley next season.

The charity’s fundraising manager Christine Robinson said: “Sir Ian approached us to see if he could help as he was having lunch in the Black Bull and saw the Herriot badges that all the staff wear because we are their chosen charity

“It promises to be a great evening and we are hoping to raise as much money as possible, all of which will go directly towards the work we do helping people with life limiting illnesses in Richmondshire and Hambleton.”