FANS of grassroots football will be supporting David Cairns as he competes in the Greater Manchester Run.

The 29-year-old was a keen player for Tottington United Football Club before he contracted Crohns disease early in 1997.

Now David sits on the football club's committee, and he is taking part in the 10km race on May 23 to raise money to build new changing rooms to replace those vandalised recently.

David, who lives with his partner Elaine in Sherwood Close in Tottington, said: "I was expecting just to raise a couple of hundred pounds, but so far thanks to family, friends and the business community, I have already raised £700.

"The cost of rebuilding the changing rooms will be £5,000, which the football club will have to raise," said David. "Community football is very important and it is a shame that it is local teenagers who are probably responsible for vandalising it, because they will end up playing for the club."

Anybody wishing to sponsor David can do so by ringing 07734219013.