Norwich City defender Steven Whittaker has made an online video appeal to help raise funds for a charity set up in memory of a youngster who died of a rare cancer.

The Canaries and Scotland international has clubbed together with City sponsors Aviva and its Community Fund to help the Jordan Houston Trust, which was set up after the Scottish youngster died in July 2011.

Whittaker, who met Jordan when he was a mascot for a Scotland match, has made a video message about the 11-year-old from Musselburgh, who died as a result of a tumour wrapped around his brain stem.

He said: 'I'm currently the patron of the Jordan Houston Trust. Its a local charity to me up in Edinburgh.'

Whittaker said the trust was a 'great little charity' which was 'close to my heart'.

He is helping to raise cash for the charity through the fund which offers support and funding to the causes close to the hearts of people living in the community.

The 30-year-old had led out Jordan as a mascot before Scotland game with Spain at Hampden Park in 2010 and became a patron of the charity set up by the boy's mum, Chloe, after reading a story about him.

The story, in the Daily Record in Scotland, told how the boy's parents had launched a charity to help other families of young cancer patients.

It included a picture of Jordan proudly lined up next to Whittaker before kick-off.

As a father himself, when the former Hibs and Rangers star saw the paper he was so moved that he decided to help the family. He said: 'I've kept in touch and have tried to help as much as I can.

'The Norwich players were asked to put forward any charities they are linked to and I jumped at the chance of helping the Jordan Houston Trust.'

Chloe, 32, said: 'We heard Steven had made the video and it was emotional to see him talk about Jordan and the trust.'

In the past Whittaker, who signed for City from Rangers at the start of the 2012–13 season, has donated some of his football kits, including the strip he wore during the match against Spain.

He has also donated a Norwich shirt signed by his teammates which was to be raffled at a fundraising night.

If you would like to donate to the Jordan Houston Trust visit http://www.jordanhoustontrust.org/

Are you doing something amazing to help a charity? Email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk