MANCHESTER United-mad Michael Gillespie, aged nine, is in London's Great Ormond Street Hospital this week being assessed for a heart and lung transplant.

His little life has been dogged by illness since he was born with his heart back to front.

He has undergone four tough operations since he was seven, but his biggest test is still to come.

Thank goodness for people like Cllr Mark Hale, who immediately he saw Michael's story a month ago in The Journal, was on the phone offering to ask United to help cheer him up.

This week Mark, the only Liverpool fan in a houseful of United faithfuls, and MU delivered the goods. Michael has received an invitation to a match, players and an Alex Ferguson signed photograph, magazines and good wishes to take to Ormond Street with him.

Three cheers for them both. I've never had much time for the Reds because of their multi strip rip offs, but they have certainly come up trumps this time, despite Ferguson and half the team being in France.

For such a big, rich club to take such an interest in one young fan is commendable.

You can email YOUR views to Lesley Richards at mryding@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk

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