One of the finest wicket-keeper batsmen in Test history is hosting a charity fundraiser in Marton.

Former India and Lancashire star Farokh Engineer will welcome diners to a charity evening at La Popote later this month.

It will help raise money for Homeless Children in India.

Farokh said: "I have been working with this charity for a long time and this is something very close to my heart."

Farokh played for Lanncashire during the Clive Lloyd era (Credit: Tim Taylor)

Farokh's connection with La Popote, East Cheshire's only Michelin Guide restaurant, was made with cricket lover Cris Rawlins, whose son Joe Rawlins is the chef and co-owner.

Cris said: "During the dreadful morale sapping time of Covid a lot of us found our own ways of escaping the gloom and misery online, but I never expected to become friendly with a world-wide cricket star.

"Like me Farokh loves cricket, like me he loves bridge – we both play several times a week online – like me he loves great food and like me he's a member of MCC.

"I suffer from Parkinson's Disease and playing bridge online is something I can do reasonably well. I have difficulty holding cards and when I play on a computer I can use my brain to work out my strategies.

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"The popularity of bridge exploded all over the world during the pandemic and it was a life saver for millions of people, although Farokh is the only one of my opponents I have ever physically met."

Cris' son Joe is a keen cricketer as well, having played for the junior team at Alderley Edge Cricket Club.

After attending Gordon Ramsay's Tante Marie cooking school, Joe spent more than nine years working with his partner Gaëlle Radigon in Paris, where he continued to hone his skills under the world's finest chefs on the banks of the Seine.

Joe said: "When Farokh asked my dad if we could support his charity it was a no brainer.

"At our restaurant we are completely at the opposite end of the spectrum from homeless children but even so we can all do our little bit to help."

La Popote owners Joe Rawlins and Gaëlle Radigon (Credit: Tim Taylor)

An Evening with Farokh Engineer starts at 7pm on Friday, July 25.

More information can be found on the La Popote website or by calling 01260 224 785.

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