Joe Cole made a young boy's Christmas dreams come true as he visited budding footballer Luke Phair at the Royal Brompton Hospital.
Luke is suffering with Cystic Fibrosis but despite his illness is a promising young footballer with an ambition to become a professional player.
Joe, who is a patron of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, underwent lung tests with Luke and handed over a signed pair of his boots as well as his Chelsea Champions League match shirt.
The two then borrowed a football for an impromptu kickabout in the hospital reception as patients and visitors looked on in amazement before Joe went on the main ward to bring some seasonal cheer to young patients.
Luke, aged seven, said: 'I really liked meeting Joe Cole, he was great and I loved playing football with him!'
Joe was impressed with Luke's skills commenting: 'He's the next Chelsea star!'
The midfielder, who is a longstanding patron of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust has undertaken various publicity campaigns to highlight their work.'This is a subject very close to my heart. I'm only too happy to do anything I can to help or raise awareness of the disease.'
Luke's visit was part of the Creating Chances programme, which raises awareness of the Premier League clubs' work within their communities.
Dr Ian Balfour-Lynn, consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital, said: 'It was fantastic to introduce Joe to patients and staff at the hospital and to show him around our specialist facilities which are used to treat over 300 children with cystic fibrosis. Joe's visit will have inspired many of the children he met. Exercise and sport are so important for children. We're very grateful to him for supporting our work.'
Sarah Guthrie, director of fundraising at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust added: 'We were delighted that Joe was able to visit Luke and other children at the Royal Brompton today.Young people who have Cystic Fibrosis often have frequent visits to hospital to ensure that their lungs stay healthy.
'Joe was able to experience for himself what it is like to undergo some of the regular tests these young people have to go through. The team at the hospital work very hard to keep those with CF as healthy as possible so they may benefit from life-saving gene therapy in the future. Joe is a great patron for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and is always keen to heighten awareness of this life threatening condition whenever he can.'
