MANCHESTER United have helped kickstart Christmas fundraising for a charity set up in memory of a four-year-old girl.

The football club has donated a signed ball to Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust which is being auctioned off to raise money for the charity which provides grants for childhood cancer research.

The Adidas Champions League replica ball has been signed by the biggest names of the 2015/16 squad including Wayne Rooney, David de Gea and Anthony Martial.

A certificate of authenticity from Manchester United? will also be given to the person who puts in the highest bid at 9pm on Monday (December 12).

The trust was set up in memory of Grace Kelly, from Crowle, who died of a malignant Rhabdoid cancer in November 2014 aged just four.

Her mum Jen Kelly said: "We were delighted to receive this signed Manchester United football to auction for the Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust.

"One of our hard working trustees, Jon Purves, wrote to them to ask for any items we could auction for the charity and this is what we received.

"It is wonderful we can raise money for the charity, as well as spread awareness of the charity further.

"It will also make an amazing Christmas present for someone whilst helping us help children as well."

The charity is currently working on information to be made available for GPs and other clinicians to raise awareness on the early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer as well as fundraising for research.

Bids can be placed on the official post at facebook.com/gracekellyladybirdtrust or via message if anyone wishes to bid privately.

For more information, visit contact@gracekellyladybird.co.uk for more details.

* The charity has a range of Christmas stocking fillers, including jewellery and Christmas cards available from its online shop at gracekellyladybird.co.uk.

The full list of signatures include:

Antonio Valencia

Daley Blind

Anthony Martial

Morgan Schneiderlin

Chris Smalling

Marouane Fellaini

Marcos Rojo

Phil Jones

Paddy McNair

James Wilson

Andreas Pereira

Luke Shaw

Sergio Romero

David de Gea

Sam Johnstone

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Matteo Darmian

Ander Herrera

Memphis Depay

Wayne Rooney

Louis van Gaal

Michael Carrick

Juan Mata

Jesse Lingard

Ashley Young