OXFORD United’s star player has become an ambassador for an Oxford-based hospice.

Josh Ruffels, who plays as a left-back for Oxford United Football Club, was asked to become an ambassador for Sobell House in November.

Sobell House is a hospice based at the Churchill Hospital and provides palliative care to those facing life-threatening illnesses.

Read also: Royal Mail: more delays throughout Oxfordshire

Mr Ruffels, who was born and raised in Oxford, said he was ‘delighted’ to be offered the role.

He said: “I was obviously delighted when I heard the news, so I took it straight away.

“I know it is difficult at the moment and I can’t help too much because of the pandemic, but in the near future, when the events come up I will able to help with stuff like that.”

The hospice cares for around 3,000 patients and their families every year.

Tim Wraith, corporate partnerships manager at Sobell House, said the football star came ‘highly recommended’.

The footballer said his main aims are ‘to raise as much awareness as possible’ for the hospice.

Read here: Boaters want the towpath to be closed over lockdown

He added: “Oxford United are a huge part of a city, so we can get lots of supporters involved.

“I also have a lot of friends and family from Oxford who can get stuck in."

The hospice hopes that having the football player as a celebrity ambassador will help increase its profile and raise awareness with the club's core fan base.

The football player hopes his large social media following will also help promote the hospice to Oxford United supporters all over the country.

When discussing his social media platform, Mr Ruffels said: “That is the benefit of my profession really – having a strong following on social media.

“I think a lot of fans will be keen to get involved with all the stuff we will be doing.

"I am personally looking forward to getting to Sobell House as soon as possible so I can see for myself the great work they do."

Mr Wraith added: “So many of core supporters of the hospice are United supporters. We are a community hospice and Oxford United is our community football club.

“Generations of families have supported United and because we have been around for 45 years, generations have also connected with us.”

The hospice hopes by having a professional sportsman as one of their ambassadors, it will help promote health and wellbeing as well.

This year, Sobell House celebrates its 45th anniversary of caring for terminally ill patients.

To celebrate the anniversary the hospice will be hosting Challenge 45 - an initiative to get people doing ‘something around the figure 45’ whether this is ‘45 keepy-ups’ or ‘45 push-ups’ a day.

Read more: This Country star Paul Chahidi backs Oxford's Sobell House

Mr Wraith added: “We are delighted that Josh has become a Celebrity Ambassador for Sobell House.

“We have always had a great relationship with Oxford United and having Josh on board will make it even better.

“He is such a lovely guy and we look forward to getting to know him well.”