A FOOTBALL mad cancer sufferer saw his dreams come true after being given the chance to meet his heroes.

Liverpool fan Matthew Burton, 21, came face to face with Reds legends Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez during an event organised by the football club and the Willow Foundation charity.

Mr Burton, who used to live in Eliot Road (corr), Perdiswell, Worcester but recently moved to Droitwich, is undergoing chemotherapy to combat the aggressive form of cancer that he has.

"I have known Matt for five years and what he is being put through is heartbreaking," said friend Natasha Cook, 19.

"Matt should be out having fun, going on holidays and doing stuff that 21 year old's should be doing but instead he is fighting a very harsh battle with cancer and it is becoming more and more aggressive.

"No-one deserves to be put through this at all, especially not Matt, who is such a caring, loving and inspirational person.

"No matter how ill Matt is he always has time to see his friends and makes everyone else around him happy.

"Matt is a inspiration, not just to me, but to everyone who loves and who has come into contact with him."

The Willow Foundation, which provides memorable days out for the seriously ill, helped organise the meeting with the Reds legends.

Mr Burton has had tumours in his legs which have now spread to other parts of his body.

Meanwhile, three people who used to work with him at McDonald's in Blackpole hope to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity Mr Burton has benefitted from.

Jack Cummings, Joseph Corbett and Christopher Harris are trekking from London to Brighton later this year and say Mr Burton is their inspiration.

They hope to raise £1,000 for the Trust.

To donate visit justgiving.com/mcheroes

Last August your Worcester News reported that Mr Burton had met England goalkeeper Joe Hart at Wembley ahead of an England versus Scotland fixture.

The pair came face-to-face as the Manchester City 'keeper dedicated his performance in the match to Mr Burton, as part of a fundraising initiative by the Football Association in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.