A Canadian rugby team have launched a special edition shirt to raise money for charity in the name of Violet-Grace Youens.

The Toronto Wolfpack, a rugby league team based in Canada who play in the UK RLFC league one, announced their new limited-edition “basketball jersey” this morning and dedicated it to the four-year-old - who died after being hit by a stolen car in St Helens on March 24.

The team, who describe themselves as the first major transatlantic sports team and fly 3,500 miles to compete, say they are doing this to “immortalise a real life superhero, Violet-Grace Youens,” after she saved two lives by donating her organs in her tragic death.

One of the Wolfpack players Ryan Brieley, who is from Preston and signed for the North American team from Huddersfield in April, came up with the idea to raise money for a UK-based organ donation charity in the name of Violet-Grace.

It comes as the youngster’s family campaign to urge people to sign up to the organ donation register.

Violet’s dad Glenn Youens told the ECHO: “We became friends with Ryan Brierey after he scored a try and dedicated it to Violet.

“He’s now moved over to Toronto and is dedicated to help raising awareness of organ donation, Violet’s story and her legacy.”

The Toronto Wolfpack team posted messages on their social media pages about the new black basketball-style shirt trimmed in white with the team logo and available to buy tomorrow.

(Image: Instagram)

There were two Instagram posts, one with four women and a man modelling the shirt making a “V” sign with their fingers and another of Violet-Grace dressed in superhero costume.

Their message read: “On August 30 help us immortalize a real life superhero, Violet-Grace Youens, who tragically lost her life in a cowardly hit and run incident that has left Violet’s family and community devastated.

“Violet was always keen to help others and her parents donated her healthy organs, with the recipients making a full recovery because of it.

“She is a real life superhero.

“Please join Ryan Brierley and the Toronto Wolfpack as we honour Violet’s legacy, and raise money and awareness for organ donation, with all proceeds going towards @livelifegivelifeuk, a UK-based organ donation charity.”

Glenn, 30, says it means “so much” to the family that people are still supporting them.

He added: “It’s amazing that people around the world now know Violet’s name.

“The positive she could have is if more people sign up to donate their organs.

“We miss and love Violet so much but we know she is watching over us all.”