A genuine invitation to Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965 has sold on eBay for £250.

Lindsay Currie had been holding on to it since 1965, but following the 50th anniversary of the state occasion this year decided to auction it off to help two-year-old Ruby Young.

Ruby has the aggressive cancer neuroblastoma and family and friends are trying to raise £500,000 for lifesaving treatment in America.

Lindsay’s brother, the late David Currie, worked for the Commonwealth Relations Office and was invited to the funeral.

The boys shared the same bedroom in their parents’ house and Lindsay saw David throw the invitation in the bin.

He rescued it in the hope it would be worth something one day. Having kept it safe all these years, he decided to auction it on eBay and donate the money to Ruby, from Rainham.

The auction ended today (Saturday) at 6.28pm and was sold to a private bidder for £250.

This week saw the biggest single donation to Ruby’s cause when local Freemasons and representatives of the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity presented the toddler and mum Vikki with a cheque for £10,330.

Andrew Notley, of Freemasons in Medway, said: “We were touched by this tragic case. We wish the family well as they continue their fundraising and we all hope and pray that Ruby will receive the best possible treatment and overcome this terrible illness.”

After England’s rugby game against Scotland last weekend fly-half Danny Cipriani, former boyfriend of Rochester’s Kelly Brook, tweeted his support to “beautiful Ruby”.

And The Only Way Is Essex heartthrob Mario Falcone also pledged his support by tweeting her Just Giving link to his 950,000 followers.

The family had hoped to reach £200,000 by Easter but thanks to a huge push this week, smashed their target and are on £206,000.

Visit www.justgiving.com/RubyYoungJourney or text RLYJ88 and the amount you wish to give to 70070.