Egg sandwiches were the first thing on Jonathan Clark's mind as he returned home from his life-saving bone marrow transplant.

The brave Oxford schoolboy, who was told he could die from leukaemia, is recovering with his family - and is loving every minute.

The 11-year-old said: "When I got home, the first thing I did was eat two egg sandwiches because I had missed them."

Jonathan went to bed shortly afterwards but had a busy day yesterday.

He said: "I helped my dad try to win a vacuum cleaner in a magazine wordsearch competition, went shopping and then visited my nan's for dinner."

He topped it off by watching his favourite football team, Manchester United, on television against Juventus. "My favourite player is Ryan Giggs," he added.

Before bringing Jonathan home, dad Gary, 42, of Fettiplace Road, Barton, maintained a vigil at his son's bedside in the children's cancer unit of the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.

He said: "He is very happy to be home. The first thing he did was have some egg sandwiches. His face lit up as if to say 'at last I am home'.

"We are all glad to have him home."

Single dad Gary, who also has a daughter, Lisa, nine, added: "He is obviously hoping very much he won't get ill again.

"But it will be at least five years before we know for sure it won't be back and in that time there is a considerable amount of therapy and hard work to be done."

An anonymous donor came forward within six weeks. Jonathan recuperated at the hospital after the operation earlier this month.

He returned home on Monday and went for a check-up at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Jonathan will still be seen by doctors at regular intervals in case his health deteriorates once more. But he is well enough to walk unaided short distances around the house and has a wheelchair for any longer journeys.

Gary said the family hoped to meet the donor and thank her. The rules allow a meeting after 12 months, if the donor agrees.

Jonathan, who is too ill to go to school, was diagnosed with leukaemia last September. The illness went into remission in February last year after chemotherapy, but returned in October.

Jonathan hit the headlines last December after he was denied disability living allowance, despite being at death's door. But with the help of the Oxford Mail, the agency reviewed the case and granted the allowance.

Story date: Thursday 22 April

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