Tommy and his wife will be guests of honour at a grand launch night for the campaign on July 17 along with 150 guests at Caesars @ the Abbey restaurant in Park Street, Selby, with entertainment by special guests popular local band Pure Silk.

Chief campaign co-ordinator Wendy Singh welcomed the recruitment of the popular TV celebrity (right), and said his presence would help push the campaign forward.

She added: "Getting someone like Tommy to support us is a great coup.

"He's the kind of high-profile figure we need, and he's such a nice man. He has also agreed to help with his own fund-raisers."

Last week, kindly employees from Yorkshire Fresh Fruit and English Village Salads in Camblesforth under parent company Bakkavor donated a magnificent £1,000 to the cause.

And Hands of Hope is now getting closer to raising the initial £5,000 required before it can be registered as a charity.

But Wendy, 54, said: "The appeal still needs a logo, and we're opening up a design competition to all children aged five to 16. Designs can be dropped in at the Selby Times office ."

The newly-launched 13-person charity steering committee will meet again at the Abbey Vaults on July 7.

Wendy added: "People can support us with their own fund-raiser – sportsmen's dinner, race night, poker event, or anything else to raise funds. Young people's ideas are most welcome."

A Selby Times-backed charity cricket match will get the ball rolling on July 12, with funds raised split between Hands of Hope and Christians Against Poverty.

A fund-raising coffee morning by Brenda Flemming on July 25 will be held in Hambleton, and there will be a series of fund-raising quiz nights throughout July at the Jug Inn at West Haddlesey, with the first on July 2.

Co-organiser of next year's annual Selby Forces Rugby Challenge Dave Pegg has committed to ensuring half of funds raised will be donated to SHOH. Call 07548 223066 for further information or to offer support.