Sir Alex Ferguson is supporting an appeal to raise money to help some of the world's poorest people.

The Manchester United boss is backing the Wee Box Big Change campaign run by the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) during Lent.

He is urging people to donate spare change to the charity to help people living with war, hunger, poverty, disease and natural disasters.

Sciaf says it works in 15 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America to provide long-term, practical support to people and help them avoid a life of poverty.

Sir Alex said: "I've been all over the world in my career and one thing I've realised is that we have to look after those less fortunate than ourselves, wherever they may live."

Sciaf director Patricia Chale said: "I've no doubt that Sir Alex's public support will encourage many more people to find out about the campaign, get their own Sciaf wee box, and make a donation. Every penny goes to helping people in urgent need."

The football manager joins other big names in supporting the campaign, such as singer Susan Boyle, actor Robert Carlyle, football managers Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist and broadcaster Kaye Adams.

This year's Wee Box campaign runs until March 29.