A TEENAGER struck down by a brain disease met his football hero yesterday.

David Pattison, 15, from Seaham, County Durham, has a rare degenerative disease that has ravaged his spinal cord and brain.

The youngster, an avid Newcastle United fan, travelled to St James' Park to meet the team's manager, Sir Bobby Robson, and some of the players.

His mother Jaqueline Pattison said: "He is Newcastle mad. Meeting Sir Bobby was fantastic for him."

David fell ill about five years ago and his condition mystified doctors. Experts believe the youngster has the rare condition leukoencephalopathy of the brain and spinal cord.

The condition has gradually reduced David's mobility.

"There is no known cure," said Mrs Pattison. "But hopefully, now they know what it is, they can make his life a bit better."

David was one of a handful of youngsters who took part in the event at St James' Park, to launch a fundraising drive by children's charity The Rainbow Trust.

The trust, which provides free care for families of children with life-endangering or terminal illnesses, is aiming nationally to raise £20m by 2007.

The extra cash will mean it can double the number of families it cares for.

Sue Instone, from Teesside, has also benefited from the trust.

She said: "My son was six months old when the hospital put me in touch with Rainbow.

"I told them things were getting too much for me, they came in and looked after the whole family and, when we lost Sam, the help we got was brilliant.

"They have been such a support to us afterwards."

Anyone interested in making a donation should contact the charity's Durham City office on 0191-386 4400, or visit the website, www.rainbowtrust.org .uk