MANY schoolboys could only dream of spending their half-term week with some of their favourite celebrities.

However, for 10-year-old George Mathias that became a reality as he ran a mile alongside sports stars and other famous personalities.

The runs form part of a charity effort after George came up with the idea to raise funds for Alder Hey Hospital, which saved his younger brother James' life after he went into a coma shortly after being born prematurely.

George decided to run a mile for each month that he has spent with six-year-old James, taking on 75 in total.

With James also joining him for most of his runs, George started with family and friends in January, George got to run with Saints captain Jon Wilkin, Olympic swimmer Fran Halsall and has steadily escalated, attracting widespread celebrity support.

During half-term week he has got to run with former Saints player Mark Flanagan of Salford Red Devils and George will also get put through his paces with Liverpool FC legends Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.

Gymnast Beth Tweddle and stars from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks are also among those who have volunteered to help George with his mission.

"He is loving every minute of it and has been running every day with celebrities, he thinks it's fantastic," said dad Richard.

"He is amazed at all the attention really. As a result of Alder Hey fixing James I had got involved with Alder Hey and I've been the co-chair of the Alder Hey charity."

Richard, 45, added: "George has been saying he wanted to do something and I said if he has a good idea we'll do it together.

"It's the equivalent of about three marathons. We don't want it to be over too quickly as it builds momentum as it goes and get people to run with him and endorse it, we want to build it throughout 2017.

"He's a Liverpool football fan and has been looking forward to the Jamie Carragher run and Steve Gerrard as well.

"He likes Saints as well and Jon Wilkin is a family friend. The idea is celebrities nominate someone to run to keep the link going, a bit like a celebrity relay."

For more and to follow George's progress see: runwithgeorge.com and @RunWithGeorgeUK on Twitter.