A TEENAGE leukaemia sufferer was visited in hospital by his hero -- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Doctors at Salford's Hope Hospital made special allowances so the Reds' manager could see Atherton 17-year-old Daniel Berry while he was in isolation, recovering from an extreme dose of chemotherapy.

The United hero was switching on Hope's Christmas lights dropped-in for a morale-boosting chat with the poorly teenager whose mum, Elaine said: "Daniel was thrilled to bits -- he was on a high for the rest of the day."

Daniel, a keen United supporter, was diagnosed with a rare form of the bone marrow disease in August. He is now in recovery, waiting to hear whether this third session of treatment has been successful. If this dose fails, Daniel's only hope is to travel to America for treatment.

His heartbroken parents Gary and Elaine Berry, of Crosby Grove in Atherton, are now desperately trying to raise funds for a trip they hope they will not need to take. They have been inundated with support from friends, neighbours and members of the public.

Elaine said: "The response has been amazing. People have been organising raffles, children have been donating pocket money and a local artist donated a painting for us to raffle. It has restored my faith in people -- there is normally so much bad in the world, but I believe there is more good than bad, we just don't hear about it very often."

The family's main concern now is whether Daniel will be home for Christmas.

"The doctors said it depends how quickly he recovers, but if it has anything to do with Daniel's determination he will make it. He has been extremely brave -- stronger than I would have been in his situation."

The family has organised a 24-hour snookerthon to take place this weekend. The event, which starts at noon on Saturday will be held at Riley's on Market Street, Atherton.