A WHOLE community pulled together to raise money for a hospital treating a 10-year-old girl waiting for a heart transplant.

Amy Morris has been in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for 19 weeks waiting for a transplant.

Her parents, David and Tracy, of Westhoughton, are at Amy's side day and night while drugs keep her alive.

A fun day, children's disco and auction raised £1,700 for the Watson Mann Unit, where Amy, a pupil at Washacre Primary School, is staying.

A Manchester United shirt, signed by Paul Scholes, was donated by Brett Ratcliffe, aged 14, of Westhoughton. He had won the shirt for becoming Greater Manchester Young Citizen of the year.

In total, the shirt raised £550. A bid of £250 was made by Les Brown who promptly donated the shirt back. Mike Williamson, licensee of The Wheatsheaf and How Fener pubs in Market Street, bought the shirt for £300 -- despite being a Liverpool fan.

He said: "I can't believe I bought a Manchester United shirt. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, probably burn it. If it had been a Liverpool shirt, I'd have paid £1,000.

"I know the Morris family really well and they are a wonderful family so it was worth it."

A signed football raised £120 at the auction, which was held at the Red Lion pub. A bouncy castle and children's disco bumped up the total to the magnificent £1,700.

Amy's grandmother, Mary Morris, said: "It was a wonderful day and there are many people we have to thank. The whole community supported us, including many pubs.

"Amy is an absolute star and is keeping us all going. She's so strong and is keeping all our spirits up. A new heart can't come soon enough for any one of us, especially her mum and dad, brother and sister."

The day was organised by Mark Jones and Kevin Calladine.

Amy was due to present the cheque to staff on the ward.