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Everton hero Duncan Ferguson has become a patron of Liverpool’s breast cancer support group.

The Lily Centre, in Silvester Street, invited the ex-Blues striker to become its latest ambassador.

The Scot, 42, played two spells for Everton from 1994 to 1998 and 2000 to 2006.

Lily Centre chairwoman Peggy O’Brien said: “Duncan has agreed to become one of our patrons.

“We wanted a legend on board so we asked Duncan and he agreed.”

Centre bosses met with Ferguson this week at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground.

He replaces former Everton, Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers forward Dave Hickson as a Lily Centre patron following the player’s death last year aged 83.

In pictures: Blues legend Duncan Ferguson

“It means an awful lot that he is going to support us,” Ms O’Brien said. “He really is a legend.

“He is still only young but he is well respected and well known to everyone.

“Kids these days still idolise him yet he is so humble and nice.

“He was made up when we asked him to become one of our patrons.”

The centre, founded nearly 15 years ago, counts Cherie Blair, the wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Montserrat Benitez, spouse of ex-Reds boss Rafael, among its high-profile celebrity backers.

Other patrons have included former Everton legend the late Alan Ball, ex-Blues defender Dave Watson and Mike McCartney, brother of Beatle Sir Paul.

Ms O’Brien said: “The centre is actually 15 years old in June. I can’t believe it has been 15 years. It has just flown by.

“We are totally self-funding so we have to raise every penny ourselves. It’s going well but we always need more.”

The Lily Centre was founded by Ms O’Brien and Winnie Keating to provide emotional and physical support for breast cancer sufferers.

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