Arsenal legend David Seaman and his wife Frankie have been named as honorary presidents of Welwyn Hatfield-based charity the Willow Foundation.
Willow was set up in 1999 by another Gunners great, Bob Wilson, and his wife Megs, in memory of their daughter Anna who died of cancer aged just 31.
Since then, the charity has put on more than 20,000 Special Days for seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40, with the Seamans now working alongside the Wilsons to provide for even more young people.
Bob made more than 300 appearances for Arsenal between 1963 and 1974, winning the Player of the Season award in 1970/71 as the club secured a famous league and cup double.
He then went on to become the club's goalkeeping coach, taking a young David Seaman under his wing, who himself would play more than 560 games for the Gunners, winning three league titles and four FA Cups.
David was one of Willow's first patrons, and the longstanding friendship between the goalkeepers paved the way for the latest development.
"Bob has been a mentor to me throughout my career, and our friendship has grown stronger over the years," said David.
"I have always admired his philanthropic endeavours, and through his inspiration, I learned that the values I hold on the football field can also be applied to making a positive impact off the pitch.
"When Bob shared his vision for Willow, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.
"Frankie and I have been proud ambassadors of Willow for many years, and we have witnessed first-hand the incredible impact this charity has on the lives of young adults facing difficult circumstances.
"When the opportunity arose to step up and work alongside Bob and Megs, we knew it was a chance we couldn't pass up."
READ MORE: One Town Centre development finally opens in Hatfield
Bob added: "Watching David grow both as a footballer and as a person has been incredibly rewarding.
"He has always been so supportive of Willow and is someone who genuinely cares. When thinking about the Willow of the future, David and Frankie seemed like the obvious choice: it felt like a natural progression.
"Their passion and dedication will undoubtedly propel the charity to new heights while providing the safe pair of hands David is famous for."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here