Rugby legend Jason Leonard OBE visited Richard House Children’s Hospice, ahead of his annual dinner in September in aid of the charity.

The former British and Irish Lions star, who was born in Barking, holds a record 114 England caps. He visited the Beckton hospice, which supports children with life-threatening, life-limiting and complex health conditions and their families.

During his visit to the hospice, the World Cup winning prop was given a tour, met members of staff and was introduced to some of the children that regularly visit the hospice. He was also able to see a sensory session in the hospice, which helps children with complex needs communicate and express themselves.

The sensory session was part of Richard House’s summer care activities, which also involves trips for children and families to Brighton and Woburn Safari Park, and wheelchair football and rugby at the Soccerdome in Greenwich.

Jason said: “It was fantastic to visit Richard House, spend some time with the children and young adults here and experience the benefits that the hospice brings to them and their families. This is a community very close to my heart and I am delighted to be raising funds for Richard House at my Annual Dinner this year”.

Maria Barry, Richard House Director of Income Generation, said: “We are grateful and honoured that Jason is supporting the work the hospice does. He is a local hero who has not forgotten his roots, and the money raised for the hospice through his Annual Dinner will make a real difference to the work that we do here at Richard House Children’s Hospice.”

The Pride of Lions Annual Dinner will be held on September 25 at The Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Centred around the recent victorious British Lions Rugby tour to Australia and hosted by ex-England international Martin Bayfield, the evening promises to be a memorable night.