A FORMER Hampshire and England cricketer has lent his support to a local charity.

Shaun Udal, who runs Dummer-based branding company Cotton Graphics, became involved with domestic abuse charity Taking Steps Project only last week after his colleague Kerry Attwood read about the important work of the charity through social media site Twitter.

Shaun said: “She came to me, explained a bit about what they did, and asked if we could support them, and I immediately said yes.

“Domestic abuse is something which is completely unacceptable all year round, but around Christ-mas time, it can be particularly difficult.”

Since making contact with the charity, Cotton Graphics has produced Christmas stockings, which will be handed out at a special party for children who have been affected by domestic abuse.

The disco, organised by the charity, will take place later this month and will be an opportunity for the children to create “happy Christmas memories”, said Gerrie Jordan, founder and chief executive of Taking Steps Project, which operates in the Basingstoke area.

She said: “We’re really happy that Shaun has chosen to support us, and we hope that we will continue to work together in the future.

“The figures about domestic abuse are shocking and it is very important that we support the children involved as it is a learned behaviour.”

Shaun added: “I was shocked when I read about the extent of domestic abuse and the impact that it can have on people. This is a charity which does incredible work and we will do all we can to support them.”