A HIGH school pupil has found a pitch perfect way of saying thank you to the hospital that helped him through his treatment for leukaemia.

This weekend Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley is holding a charity football match which will see celebrities take on Freddie’s Heroes – comprising teachers from the school and Leigh MP Andy Burnham – in honour of pupil Reece Taylor.

Reece, aged 13, decided to raise money for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for the treatment he has received since he was diagnosed with leukaemia aged seven.

“Reece has always raised what he can here and there for the hospital,”

said Reece’s mum Tina.

“We were originally told that Reece would only be in the hospital for three weeks but he ended up there for four months and he was so bored – he had soon played with all the toys.”

The match, which will feature celebrities from Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks on Saturday at 2pm, is also a continuation of the school’s 50th birthday celebrations.

Funds raised will go towards redesigning and revamping the hospital’s Teen-Zone – a specialist unit that provides equipment for teenagers in the hospital.

Tina, of Lodge Road, Atherton, added: “When Reece was diagnosed he had a bad reaction to every chemotherapy drug they gave him.

“It scrambled his brain so he went back to being a baby – he had to re-learn how to hold his head up, how to crawl and finally how to walk.

“He is in remission now and he will be watching from the sidelines on Saturday.”

Tickets for the match can be bought on the gate for £3 for adults and £1 for children.

For more information, call Alex Gallimore at the school on on 01942 883796.