A FORMER Premier League footballer has partnered up with Mary Stevens Hospice as part of a new video messaging initiative.

Since retiring from playing, ex-West Bromwich Albion star James Chambers has devoted his time to creating a service where people can record messages, stories and words of comfort for their designated loved ones, to be stored securely until the individual passes away.

Following two-years of developing MyFarewell, the defender has now partnered up with the hospice to support the families relying on the care of the Stourbridge-based charity.

The 36-year-old, who also played for Leicester City, Watford and Walsall, said: “This is something I've been passionate about doing for nearly a decade.

“However, losing dad a few years ago really did hammer home how important it was for me to provide this service for families, so the same season I finished playing and started working on MyFarewell.

“Photos, objects and odd bits of film captured throughout a life often become our most treasured items when someone we love passes away, however it can be so easy over time to start to forget the special little things like the way they laugh and the sound of their voice.

“Hopefully, MyFarewell will ensure that we can all leave a part of ourselves for our families and loved ones to cherish when we can sadly no longer be there, and help to connect younger generations with the members of their family who came before them.

“The support of the hospice has been overwhelming, and it's my privilege to be able to work so closely with a wonderful charity that I am so passionate about.”

For more information about MyFarewell, which is due to launch a free smartphone app in November 2017, visit www.myfarewell.co.uk, or call 0121 647 7128.

Dan Malin, of Mary Stevens Hospice, added: “One of the most important things we offer our patients here at the hospice is the opportunity to create a memory box for their families, which they fill with photos, objects, stories and treasured personal items which mean so much to them and to their loved ones.

“From our point of view, MyFarewell are taking that idea and utilising advances in technology to make that idea of a memory box available to families for generations to come, and honestly we think it's brilliant.

“Jay's been a huge supporter of this hospice and the work we do for many years, and his business will provide such an invaluable service to our families – we’re delighted to be working with him and making patients aware of what he does.”