The Jester from Leicester, who made it to the last 16 of the Pukka Pies UK Championship in Telford following a dramatic comeback win over Jamie Cope on Sunday, was recently named the fourth patron of the charity. He followed in the footsteps of fellow city sports stars Martin Johnson, Alan Birchenall and Ali Mauchlen.

Mark, 26, was asked to take up the role because of his experience of the hospice, in Groby Road. His father, David, was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 1999. He died a month later, aged 63, spending the last few weeks of his life at LOROS. Mark, who was 16 at the time, said: "He was diagnosed in September and by October he passed away, so it was really quick. "With me being so young as well, I didn't really know what was going on and it was quite difficult to cope."

Mark, who grew up in New Parks, said the facilities at the hospice were "fantastic" and staff did everything possible to make his father comfortable. "It's a great place," he said. "All the staff were so helpful. If you have a family member there then that's obviously not a good thing but I have some happy memories of the time as well. When I used to go there it was obvious dad was a lot more comfortable there than at home. It was just me and my brother and we couldn't be there all the time."

Leicester City fan Mark said he was honoured to be chosen as a patron for the charity, which cares for about 3,500 patients and their families each year. "It's such a big thing, especially with me being so young, to be involved with something with the likes of Martin Johnson and Alan Birchenall," said Mark. "With it being a Leicester based charity as well, it's great to be involved in. Whatever I can do to help LOROS, I will be more than happy to do."

The Leicester Mercury LOROS Appeal aims to raise the final £450,000 towards the cost of the hospice's £2m extension.

The building, which opened in October, has increased the number of single rooms from eight to 19, giving patients and their families more privacy. So far, we have collected almost £72,000. Mark said: "I'm sure the single rooms are great. Privacy is a very important thing, for relatives as well as patients."