Manchester United fan Sam Butcher has always been very supportive of his eight-year-old brother Jack as he struggles with cystic fibrosis.

Jack Butcher, left, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, and his brother Sam, with the ball signed by the United team which is to be auctioned to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust Picture: Steven Bradshaw

So he was keen to help the York branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as it raises money for research into the illness by staging a charity concert.

And the 12-year-old "Red", from Wetherby Road, Acomb, knew just where the trust should look for help - the Theatre of Dreams.

Now the charity has obtained a football signed by players from treble-winning United, and the ball will be auctioned during the interval at a Last Night Of The Proms evening later this month.

Sam's mother Prue said: "The idea for getting the ball came from Sam, who supports Man United. We got it through a friend of a friend who has a contact. It's very tough for any sibling of a child with a condition like this, but Sam is always very supportive of Jack."

The concert, featuring the Rowntree Band with soloist Valerie Louise Parker, takes place at Poppleton Community Centre at 7.30pm on January 29. Tickets costing £4 for adults and £2 for children and concessions can be bought by ringing York 331090, 795292 or 791183.

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