SOCCER legend Gary Lineker has boosted a Bolton schoolgirl's battle to beat a killer genetic disorder. The former England ace has written to Charlotte Russell, aged 12, of Sharples Avenue, Sharples, praising her bravery just days before she goes into hospital for a bone marrow transplant in a bid to cure her rare illness. And Lineker, whose own young son beat leukaemia, has said his thoughts will be with the youngster while she fights to recover from Fanconi anaemia, a condition which limits production of blood cells which prevent infection.

Today Charlotte's dad Chris told the BEN that the star had helped his plucky daughter keep positive before she starts chemotherapy tomorrow in the run up to her transplant at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

He said: "It was very good of him to take the trouble to get in touch and it's been a real help."

Lineker, who faced tragedy with wife Michelle when their son George was stricken with leukaemia, contacted the Russells after the family wrote to several celebrities requesting items for a raffle to raise money for Royal Manchester's bone marrow unit.

In a letter, the ex-England striker, who is now a TV presenter, offered his support, as well as autographed photographs and a signed script from Football Focus, a show which he fronts for BBC's Grandstand.

"I am very sorry to hear about Charlotte's illness, but it is great that you all feel strong enough to do something positive," he said, adding: "Our thoughts are very much with you at this time." Charlotte, whose survival chances are rated at 70pc, faces eight days of chemotherapy to prepare for her transplant when bone marrow from her brother Nicholas, aged nine, will be transfused into her body. Doctors at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital will perform the transplant for the first time because of the rarity of Charlotte's illness which affects just a handful of people throughout the world.

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