Fundraiser to help get fan to Manchester United match

Manchester United fan Steve Wharton hopes to see his side take on Bayern Munich

A fundraising event is taking place on Saturday to help raise enough money to take a man from St Budeaux, Plymouth, to see Manchester United play.

Steve Wharton, who has Motor Neurone Disease, left his home for the first time in 18 months in October.

The lifelong Manchester United fan has been given tickets by the club for a match in December.

His family and friends are now fundraising to cover the costs of getting him there.

Mr Wharton will need to travel in a specialist vehicle with a paramedic, which friends said was expected to cost about £3,000.

Further costs include specialist accommodation, additional care team members and a driver.

Friend Callum Worth is helping with the fundraising to get Steve Wharton to Old Trafford

Friend Callum Worth, who has helped fundraise through his soft play business Bounce Playzone, said: "A friend came to us with an idea of raising some money to get him back up to Old Trafford to watch a game.

"We worked out a plan to do it, we needed to raise the money and spoke to local people.

"We are about 30% of the way."

The fundraiser is set to take place on 11 November in St Budeaux, Plymouth.

A children's disco in the afternoon will be followed by an evening of live music in Brunel View.

Natasha Plumley, who works with Mr Wharton, added: "Steve is really keen on doing this, he also wants to raise money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) to help find that cure".

Mr Wharton's friends said any money left over from the trip would be donated to the MNDA.

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