Chelsea fan meets idols after gruelling hospital treatment

But for Chelsea-daft Curtis Laydon the chance to watch and then meet his heroes was even more special.

The 11-year-old, who has undergone numerous treatments at the Sick Kids Hospital over the years for conditions including epilepsy, was treated to the day out by the Dreamz4U charity.

The all-expenses paid trip to Stamford Bridge saw him watch Chelsea's 7-0 demolition of Stoke City on Sunday before meeting stars including Frank Lampard and John Terry.

The football fanatic was also lucky enough to be given a guided tour round the changing rooms by defender Terry.

Curtis, a pupil at the Royal High Primary, also chatted to Chelsea legend Roy Bentley and made friends with the children of defender Paulo Ferreira while watching the match from the family hospitality viewing box.

He was joined by his own family, parents Tam and Andrena and older brother Josh, 13, for the trip of a lifetime.

Curtis' mother, Andrena Laing, put her son forward to give him a treat after his gruelling treatment. Ms Laing, 35, from Niddrie, said: "Over Easter he was in hospital three days a week so he didn't really have any Easter holidays.

"He loves Chelsea and it has always been his dream to see them and meet his hero Frank Lampard, so I contacted Dreamz4U to see if they could help.

"When I told him about it he was all shaky and burst into tears – in a good way.

"He was the happiest wee boy ever. We had a perfect view of the corner flag from where we were sitting at the game which Curtis was really excited about. To see seven goals, we couldn't have got a better game.

"He was just in awe the whole time – he couldn't believe what was going on.

"His ambition in life is to be a football commentator but his dream was to see Chelsea and he's done that now."

Curtis added: "Meeting the players was the best part.

"Frank Lampard is my favourite and I got him to sign my shirt, but John Terry was probably the nicest to me.

"I told everyone at school and they were all jealous."

Dreamz4U founder Jim Michie, who lived in Edinburgh for ten years when he played rugby for Preston Lodge RFC, set up the charity after watching his daughter Kelly suffer as she was treated for a brain tumour at the Sick Kids.

He said: "This dream has been really special. Curtis cried when he found out and everyone else cried.

"I'm supposed to be a big tough rugby player but I have got a real soft heart when something like this happens."