Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has become a Patron of blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.

The 36-year-old is regularly seen auctioning match-worn shirts of Premier League opposition players on social media in order to raise money for the charity.

He also took part in their London to Paris bike ride in 2015 to aid his recovery from a knee injury.

Having cycled alongside the charity’s co-founders Professor Charlie Craddock CBE and Graham Silk, CEO James McLaughlin and fellow Patron Geoff Thomas that year, Foster has continually worked to raise funds for them ever since.

He has also supported Cure Leukaemia with numerous video messages for patients and supporters and helped the charity launch its £1m appeal to expand the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Centre for Clinical Haematology in early 2017.

Speaking at a recent event promoting Cure Leukaemia’s cycling events he said: “I am thrilled to be a Patron of Cure Leukaemia. I’ve been involved with the charity for four years now and it has become very close to my heart.

"I am very fortunate that my family has not been touched by blood cancer but we have seen the football community rocked by Carl Ikeme and Stiliyan Petrov being diagnosed in recent years and of course Geoff Thomas too.

“It is such an indiscriminate disease that affects people from all walks of life, young or old and any level of fitness and Cure Leukaemia is a charity that is fighting back and being proactive in trying to find a cure as quickly as possible.”

During the launch event in 2017, Foster met a teenage leukaemia patient from Solihull called Harrison Price and has followed his treatment closely ever since.

The Hornets' keeper was delighted to see him with his family last week.

“It was great to see Harry, I love that kid, he always has a massive smile and I forgive him for being a big Aston Villa fan," said Foster.

"I know he has a rare form of blood cancer and it’s another reason why supporting charities like Cure Leukaemia is so important so that more can be done to help people like Harry.

“I know Harry’s mum and dad are cycling the Velo Birmingham and Midlands on May 12 so I’m going to sponsor them with the funds raised from David de Gea’s shirt.

"I’m so glad the shirt idea has worked so well, I’m really grateful to all the players that have supported this and everyone who has bid to raise funds for the charity.”

Cure Leukaemia Chairman Ian Allen said: “Ben is a fantastic person and typifies the spirit of Cure Leukaemia. We are delighted to have him as a Patron and I know that his involvement will be a huge benefit to our charity for years to come.

"We wish him well for the rest of the season and for the FA Cup semi-final this weekend.”