A BRAVE youngster from Menheniot who has been battling against leukaemia for the past three years, is about to have his biggest wish come true.

Football crazy Michael Porter (12), is to meet his dream team - Manchester United - on Sunday at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, when they play Liverpool in the FA Charity Shield Match, kick off 2pm.

But it doesn't stop there. Not only has Michael been invited by Sir Alex Ferguson to meet the team before the match, but he has also been asked to be their mascot, and he will lead them on to the pitch with captain Roy Keene. A brand new away kit has already arrived for him to wear.

Michael, who knows the 'ins and outs' of all the players says his favourite is the goalkeeper Barthez, and proudly told the Cornish Times that when he walks out of the tunnel on Sunday, that the goalie will be the next player right behind him. 'I can't believe this is happening' he said. 'To meet just one of the team would be great, but to meet all of them will be incredible. Football is my passion'.

A pupil at Liskeard Community School, Michael's moment of a lifetime has been made possible by the determination of his grandmother, Mrs Doreen Porter, of East Taphouse. When Michael was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, he was visited in hospital by the charity, Starlight Foundation, who come and ask patients for three wishes. Number one on Michael's list was to meet Manchester United , followed by a computer and a new bike. Unfortunately Man U had been fully booked for that year, but Starlight came up with the computer, and gran and grandad Porter provided the bike.

But Doreen was determined that her grandson should get his top wish and kept writing to the club, and then a few weeks ago she received the important phone call.

They also phoned Michael's mum Christine, and since then the whole family has been in a state of excitement.

But there is one other very special person Michael wants to thank, and that is his younger sister, nine year old Sarah. Unfortunately he had a relapse last September, and a bone marrow transplant was urgently required. Everyone had tests and it was revealed that Sarah, and younger sister Bethan were exact matches. Sarah made the decision herself that she would be Michael's donor, and after warnings that there was only a five per cent chance of success because of other complications with his condition, it was an enormous relief when everything went very well indeed. Sarah was out of hospital within 12 hours and Michael was expected to be in isolation for at least six weeks. However , he astounded everyone when he was able to be moved on to a normal ward within 21 days.

'That's Michael' says Christine. 'He is such a livewire and a joker, which definitely helped him to pull through against the odds. He deserves this treat for all his bravery'.

Michael will be accompanied on the trip to Cardiff by his mum, and his dad Mark, who will also be with him when he goes to the team's dressing room pre match.

The venue has particularly thrilled Christine's mum, Mrs Valerie Welsh of Dobwalls, who was born in Wales.

However, on the day, other people will be remembered by the family for their enormous help and support. They want to thank all the doctors and nurses at Derriford, Plymouth, and Bristol Children's Hospital, CLIC, Di Maynard, a Malcolm Sargent Care Worker, and the huge back up team of family and friends.

He leaves for Cardiff tonight (Friday).