Premier League footballers, wayne rooney and Michael Owen visited a hospital and inspired a schoolboy, who fought back from leukaemia. The starts of the Manchester United foot club visited the hospital and gave him the extra push that he needed to get better. Callum Rose, 12 is now learning to walk again. He has been on chair for months.

Joanne, 32, Callum's mother said that the family is excited about the new year as the boy is in a much better condition. She said, "We still have a long way to go, but Callum is an inspiration. He loved meeting the United players - and to me he's every bit as much of a champion as they are."

Callum, from Salford is autistic and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. His kidneys failed within weeks into his chemotherapy treatment. He was admitted to intensive care at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

He developed stomach bleed and developed swine flu and was seriously ill. Inspiration from Rooney and Owen last Christmas and a difficult year helped him get better. Callum was awarded a Cancer Research UK Little Star award for his bravery after being nominated by his family and friends.