NEWCASTLE United goalkeeper Shay Given stepped in to help save the day for a young girl raising cash to fight an incurable eye disease.

He presented 15-year-old Shireen Purvis with a signed shirt, which will be put up for auction to help pay for fund-raising activities.

Shireen, whose older sister, Ann-Marie, plays for Chester-le-Street Town Ladies Football team, in County Durham, is suffering from the rare and, at present, incurable disease, macular dystrophy.

The disease, which began when she was eight years old, is a genetic complaint affecting her central vision.

Shireen is colour blind as well. Her sight is already deteriorating, and eventually she will lose it completely.

Her plight came to the attention of Newcastle United as the Chester-le-Street Ladies use the same training facilities at the town's Riverside Ground.

Chester-le-Street town's general manager, Bill Godwood, is coordinating fundraising activities for Shireen, mainly through the auctioning of items given to her. More than £2,500 has already been raised.

Shay said: "When I first heard about Shireen I was flattered and honoured to be told that I was the favourite Newcastle United player of such a brave girl. To help in any way possible is the least I can do."