YOUNG Morgan Sharpe, who is recovering from an eye reconstruction operation, has inspired the Manchester United football team to send him a signed ball.

Morgan’s grandfather, Alan Holmes, from Holmes Music, is organising a Golden Ball in aid of Goldenhar Family Support Group (UK). It takes place on Saturday in St Joseph’s Catholic College, where the famous football club’s ball will be auctioned off.

This is the third year that the ball has been held in Swindon, and each time more and more companies, associations and individuals are keen to get behind the charity, which over the years has benefited from more than £50,000, thanks to Alan’s efforts.

When he was born, seven-year-old Morgan was diagnosed with Goldenhar Syndrome, which affects just 75 children in the UK.

He has a missing ear, a missing eye, a tracheotomy which is a permanent incision in his windpipe to keep it open, butterfly vertebrae and fluid in the ventricles of his brain.

But nothing stops the plucky little chap from enjoying his life at Westlea Primary School, where he makes friends with everyone he meets.

Alan said: “He has just had the eye socket reconstruction and will wear an eye patch until the first week in December when he will go into London’s Moorfields Hospital for eye remoulding. Hopefully the week before Christmas he will have a new eye.’’ There are a few tickets left for the Golden Ball where the music will be provided by the Nathan Jones Allstars, a modern day big band.

Miss Swindon Catissa Creighton and Miss Wiltshire Nicole Analise Cox will help with the auction and the raffle, and the compere for the evening will be Kirsty Heber-Smith.

Other items on offer include a cricket bat from the England cricket team, a signed photo of Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, a Rotary watch sent from Rotary manufacturers, a Freshman guitar, a Casio keyboard, girl’s bike, tickets to the Ultimate London Boat Adventure and a season car pass and ticket to the Badminton Horse Trials, thanks to the Marquis of Worcester, who is also a musician with indie rock band The Listening Device.

Tickets for the ball and buffet are £25 from Holmes Music on 01793 534095.

Morgan is too young to attend the Golden Ball but he will be putting in a special appearance at the Swindon Screams Halloween event in aid of Goldenhar on October 31 at Grange Drive Community Hall, from 7pm.

The Halloween party is for all the family and includes a hearse suitably decorated in Halloween style and an electric chair.

Tickets are £8 for adults, £3 for under 14s and £20 for a family ticket.

Call 01793 483338 for details.