A SIGNED shirt has been donated by a football club to organisers of an appeal to help a woman with a crippling disease.

Darlington Football Club donated the shirt to help Ann Teasdale, who had a leg amputated after contracting the rare reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome.

The condition has spread to her other leg, which may also have to be removed.

Mrs Teasdale has three grown up children and a two-year-old daughter, and her only chance is to raise £20,000 to receive revolutionary treatment from a specialist in the US.

Soldiers from the Territorial Army in Mrs Teasdale's home town of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, have joined the fundraising efforts.

They are organising a raffle to raise money for the appeal, and yesterday they were presented with a signed shirt by Darlington FC's director of football, Luke Raine.

The appeal organisers plan to sell tickets across the town and have contacted local companies to ask for their help.

Anyone who wants to help the fundraising efforts is asked to contact Bill Blenkinsopp on (01325) 308057, or Louise Fawcett on (01325) 321388.