BIG-hearted bosses at Manchester United Football Club are pulling out all the stops to give Preston schoolgirl Leonie Snowdon a VIP match ticket.

They hope to be able to offer cystic fibrosis sufferer Leonie, 11, from Olderfield, Penwortham, the best seat on the terraces when she visits Old Trafford as a guest.

The gesture is the Premiership club's way of saying sorry for mislaying the letter and card she sent to her hero David Beckham during her treatment at the Royal Preston Hospital.

And, in advance of a ticket, the Red Devils have agreed to give Leonie a goodie-bag of club memorabilia, including an autographed poster, cap and scarf, books and stationery.

Club chiefs says life-long fan Leonie's mail went astray and failed to reach new dad Beckham.

But Citizen sports columnist John Richardson saved the day and contacted manager Alex Ferguson to secure two tickets for Leonie to see a match next season.

Leonie, who attends Priory High School, Penwortham, has suffered from the illness since she was born and has taken medicine every day. Throughout it all she has remained a loyal Manchester United fan and dons her Red Devils' kit for all the televised matches.

Mum Lynne Bate said: "Leonie is a very brave girl and we're all really proud of her."

Tomorrow (Friday) Lynne, who has three other children, will help raise cash for people with cystic fibrosis with a sell-out charity fun night at The Royal British Legion club in Lostock Hall.

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