The courageous 11-year-old, from Town End Farm, Sunderland, suffers from Chronic Granulomatus Disorder (CGD), a rare genetic condition which affects only 13 people in the country.

The potentially fatal condition leaves suffers unable to fight infections without regular medication.

But thanks to a bone marrow transplant from eight-year-old Stephanie, and the dedicated staff at Newcastle General Hospital's specialist Bubble Unit, Liam has battled through to live a normal life and play with his pals from Bexhill Primary School.

And, today, he is preparing to give something back to the unit.
Liam's CGD was only discovered after tragedy struck the family.

His cousin Michael Allison, from Witherwack, died in January 2000, aged 11, after what was first thought to be a severe bout of flu.

Doctors later found the English Martyrs Primary School pupil had CGD, so Liam's mum Louise asked for tests to be run on her two children.

She was told it was a 1,000,000 to one chance either would prove positive, so when Liam was diagnosed it was a devastating blow for Louise and husband Andrew, who works for Nissan, coming so soon after Michael's death.

"We were just a normal family plodding on our way when all this hit us," said Louise, 36.

"We had to come to terms with the fact that without a transplant, Liam would not reach 13 or 14."

Fortunately, his little sister Stephanie was a match for a bone marrow transplant to Liam, which went ahead in December 2002.

"It was lovely that she was able to save her brother," said Louise. "But at the same time I had the worry of both of them in different hospitals."

After surgery, Liam recovered in the special bubble at Newcastle General - one of only two such units in the country. It is an eight square feet sterile space which lets patients be nursed in an environment of totally clean air.

The family found the strength to cope with the situation and football-mad Liam recovered well, and now returns to hospital just once a year for blood tests.

"The bubble was fantastic," said Louise, who works at Primark in Fawcett Street.

"The staff there were brilliant. They became part of our family for seven weeks."

Nurses even went to Bexhill School to explain why Liam was in hospital, as some of his classmates thought he had died after being away for so long.

The visit ensured Liam had star status when he returned.

Today, Louise and her family are raising money for the Bubble Foundation and are urging Wearsiders to support the upcoming Northern Proms fund-raising concert at the Stadium of Light.

The event, which take place on Saturday, May 24, was launched by Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn, agony aunt Denise Robertson and Durham County Cricket Club president Tom Moffat.

The line-up includes Bobby Thompson tribute Tony Washington, soprano Carole Marnoch, the Stokes Collins School of Irish Dancing, the Tavistock Chester-le-Street Riverside Band, singer Jon Grave and The Word - a rap group based at Thornhill School.

For details of tickets and corporate packages call Sunderland AFC, tel: 0845 671 1973, Tom Moffat, tel: 388 0421 or Keith Moffat, tel: 388 6529.