WIDNES Vikings have gained a Sporty seal of approval with Melanie C giving her backing to Widnes Vikings’ Magic Weekend initiative for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Widnes’ own pop sensation Melanie C is the latest in a long list of stars to endorse the special edition Widnes Vikings shirt launched ahead of the Magic Weekend.

Melanie C has taken to social media to share an image of herself posing with the black and white replica shirt which will benefit the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and help fund the tremendous work that the charitable trust delivers each year.

One of the five members of the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Sporty Spice, Melanie toured the world and sold over 100 million records during her career with the band.

Since then the former Fairfield High School pupil has sold more than 12 million records as a solo artist and currently sits on the judging panel for Asia’s Got Talent.

Melanie is the second Halton celebrity to support the Vikings’ Magic Weekend initiative.

Last month former Brookvale High School pupil and Runcorn resident, comedian John Bishop, shared a similar image posing with the Magic Weekend shirt with his three million Twitter followers.

Vikings director Brian O’Connor said: “Melanie is a global star and both the club and the Foundation are thrilled that she has got behind our Magic Weekend initiative to help us raise awareness of the cause among her followers on social media.

“We are immensely proud of the high profile support that the initiative has generated and in particular the support from two former Halton residents Melanie and John who are currently shining on the world stage.”

Other Widnes Vikings’ Magic Weekend advocates include Sunday Brunch presenters Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy, actress Jorgie Porter and her Hollyoaks co-stars, rugby ace Sam Burgess, footballers Niall Quinn and Dietmar Hamann, and Newcastle United legend Peter Beardsley, who has also taken up the role of Widnes Vikings Ambassador in the lead up to the First Utility 2015 Magic Weekend to be held at St James’ Park, Newcastle, on May 30 and 31.

Sir Bobby Robson’s former football clubs West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town and Newcastle United have also taken to social media to promote and support the Vikings’ initiative.

So too have Select Security Stadium residents Liverpool Ladies FC.

O’Connor added: “Widnes Vikings would like to thank all the celebrities and organisations that have supported the initiative and shared it with their social media following. Their support is vital in ensuring that we raise as much awareness of the shirt as possible and make certain that our fundraising efforts reach their maximum potential.

“Their efforts have seen the shirt shared directly with over 7.5 million followers and indirectly with millions more.”

The special edition black and white striped shirt will be worn in just over six weeks’ time when Vikings travel to Newcastle looking to impress as they kick-off the 2015 First Utility Magic Weekend at the home of Newcastle United Football Club against Salford Red Devils.

One hundred percent of the profits from shirt sales will be donated to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, a charity set up by the Newcastle United legend in 2008 to tackle cancer and provide funding for valuable research.

Liz Luff, from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, said: "We're extremely proud of our association with Widnes Vikings and we're getting excellent feedback about the Magic Weekend shirts.

"We're all looking forward to watching Widnes play at St James' Park in May and hope to see lots of black and white shirts in the stands.

"Our thanks to Widnes Vikings and everyone who has supported us by buying one of these very special shirts."

As the Magic Weekend event is now six weeks away supporters are reminded that time is running out to get their hands on this unique shirt.

Due to the nature of the charity initiative, Magic Weekend shirts are being manufactured to order.

Vikings would therefore advise supporters to pre-order the shirt by May 1 to guarantee that items will be delivered/available for collection prior to the Magic Weekend event.

Visit widnesvikings.co.uk or call the Vikings Superstore on 0151 495 2250 (option 2).

A small number of shirts are available from the Vikings Superstore located within Tesco Extra, Widnes (subject to availability).

Tickets for the Magic Weekend are also available from the Vikings Superstore and 0151 495 2250 (option 2).