A CHARITY champion made the dreams of sick children come true when they met the Scotland football squad.

The group of youngsters were taken by Les Hoey's Dreammaker Foundation to meet the team at Celtic Park for a training session.

Five children from across Scotland, including Mark Gallagher,10, from Glasgow, and Erin Campbell, 13, from Carfin, Lanarkshire, met players and coach Gordon Strachan at the East End stadium.

They stood and watched with their families as the squad trained, and chatted on the sidelines with manager Gordon Strachan.

After the intense workout, the team chatted with the youngsters and signed football tops and balls for them.

Erin's mum Lisa said: "Les has done so much for Erin since she became ill. We can't thank him enough.

"She loved it, she had a great time. We used to take her to games when she was small and this was an opportunity to meet the players.

"We all got to watch them play and afterwards photographs were taken and the players signed autographs and things for them. She loved meeting the team and wished them luck for their games in future.

"Erin also got the chance to meet Kylie Minogue the other night thanks to Les.

"These kind of things help Erin, and all the sick children, take their minds off their illness and stop worrying for a little while. Her wee brother Kieran also loved the trip."

Erin was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma, a form of cancer in the lymphatic system, and has been often helped by Mr Hoey and his charity.

The organisation is renowned for its work in helping sick children's dreams come true.

Mr Hoey, who was awarded an MBE for his charity work, regularly undertakes challenges and fundraising to run the trust and holds an annual Christmas party for hundreds of sick youngsters.

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk