TWO top former footballers are supporting a local charity set up in memory of a special little boy.

Ex-AC Milan legend Ruud Gullit and former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland wing-back Jason McAteer have both donated signed football shirts to Euan’s Cause — the charity set up by Greenock parents Robert and Nicola Clark as a tribute to their son Euan who died when he was only 18 months old.

McAteer, who was capped 52 times for his country, has donated a strip he wore during a World Cup qualifying match.

Robert says the donation is all thanks to his friend Blair Harvey, pictured with Jason McAteer, a Gourock golfer who is working as a professional at Doha Golf Club in Qatar.

He said: “This is all thanks to Blair — he has been pivotal to get this.

“He has been out working in Doha but has used every opportunity to promote Euan’s Cause by wearing the charity’s logo.

“He’s also been brash enough to ask for support through networking over there.”

Robert says the shirt will be auctioned off during a charity football day next month.

He said: “As soon as Jason McAteer heard we were doing this he was keen to help, he’s read all about the charity.

“He’s been great.”

Blair also met former Dutch international footballer Gullit while working in Doha and the legendary ex-Netherlands midfielder also agreed to donate a signed strip.

Robert and his wife Nicola say they are so grateful for all the support their charity has received to date.

They set it up in memory of their baby son, who was born in 2012 with a rare condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which meant that one side of his heart didn’t develop properly.

Euan had open heart surgery on several occasions, the first at just five days old.

Nicola and Robert were told that he would be suitable for a new heart and he was treated with special drugs in an attempt to prepare him for a transplant.

But he suffered a cardiac arrest and doctors were eventually unable to save him.

Nicola and Robert, who live in Kenmore Drive with their children Libby, seven months, and Lyle, four, have raised over £50,000 for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Their forthcoming football event is at the Battery Park on Saturday October 14 at 4pm.

After the game, there will be an auction and raffle at the Horseshoe Bar.

Anyone who would like to donate online can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/euanscausematch