Ed Sheeran took terminally ill Ollie Carroll backstage

Ed Sheeran has granted a terminally ill boy his dying wish by meeting him.

The Thinking Out Loud singer, 26, was touched by an appeal by the family of 6-year-old Ollie Carroll who has Batten Disease, the Daily Mail reports.

He invited the youngster, who suffers the rare degenerative condition, and his family to come backstage at a recent Manchester gig.

Sheeran then threw his support behind Ollie's awareness campaign by wearing a red band promoting Ollie's Army.

Ed with his Ollies Army wristband. Photo / Youtube

The charity campaign aims to spread awareness of the rare disease and raises funds to buy specialist equipment and for research into Batten Disease.

Ollie's mum Lucy joined the boy at the concert alongside his dad Mike, sister Amelia and brothers Micky and Danny.

The touched matriarch said: "Ollie, who once knew all the words to Ed's songs, who used to sing along, can no longer talk. Ollie who used to stand at the television watching Ed's videos can no longer stand and see. The power of Ed's voice has pulled Ollie through the hardest and darkest of times.

Ed Sheeran spent time with the whole family while meeting Ollie. Photo / Youtube

"As soon as Ed walked into the room and spoke Ollie's eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face. This image was priceless.

"Ed spent time with Ollie and gave him the biggest of cuddles, he had high-fives with Amelia who was completely in love and couldn't stop staring at him.

"Ed is one of the loveliest guys we have ever met. He asked us to explain Batten Disease and Ollie's Army. He was truly saddened by our journey. To us, last night Ollie wasn't meeting a star, he was meeting 'his' star, he was meeting the man that taught him the power and love of music.

Ollie's eyes lit up when he met his hero. Photo / Youtube

"As parents we can not thank Ed, his team and every single person who shared Ollie's video enough. Our dying boy wished to meet his hero, that wish was granted."

Battens Disease has robbed Ollie of his speech, sight and the ability to walk. Doctors say e is unlikely to survive past 12 years old.

Lucy and Mike created a wish list to give Ollie the best life they can. At the top was meeting his idol Ed Sheeran.

The family launched a social media appeal this year, asking for Sheeran to meet Ollie. The appeal included a touching video montage of Ollie singing along to Sheeran's hits.

It also features Ollie's sister Amelia, 3, who also has Battens, and a tender moment when she leans over and kisses her brother while Sheeran's ballad Thinking Out Loud plays in the background.