COLCHESTER United are pitching in to support a children’s hospice.

The U’s have announced Little Havens Hospice as one of its charities for 2015.

Two families who use the hospice were at Saturday’s launch at the home match against Walsall.

Louis Ray Skillicorn-Aston, nine, has a congenital heart defect which has caused him to have six strokes. He was there with mum Elaine and dad Johnny, from Witham, who have been supported by Little Havens for two years.

Louis Ray said: “I was excited the night before when mummy told me we were going to the football.

“Having my picture taken with the man of the match was great and being given a signed ball was unbelievable.’’ Harry Pearson, six, whose sister, Vivien, has been cared for at the hospice for three years, attended with dad Mark and auntie Tracey Pearson. Harry’s cousin, Cole Kpekawa, was playing for the U’s on loan from QPR.

Hospice spokesman Rosalyn Luckman said: “We are delighted to be one of Colchester United’s charity partners. It was a treat for our families to be at the launch.’’ The U’s other charities this year are Essex Carers’ Support, Headway Essex and the Tom Bowdidge Foundation.

! Thundersley-based Little Havens is urging people to hold Bit of a Do events to boost funds. The charity is challenging people to stage anything from bake-offs to quizzes and gala balls.

For ideas, visit havens hospices.org.uk/bitofado or call 01702 220305.