The chosen charity of the 2007 food festival was the Bubble Foundation and Michael's appearance epitomized the importance of the charity.

The four-year-old from Ellington was admitted to the bubble unit at Newcastle General Hospital when he was just one after suffering from leukaemia. It helped to save his life.

Judy Plank, Michael's mother said: "Michael is doing really well. We are so pleased that the Lions chose the Bubble Foundation."

The charity works to save lives of babies and children born without an immune system.

They are put into a bubble because they cannot fight infection and the bubbles keep them in a completely sterile space during their treatment.

But their are only two units in the UK who can provide the extensive medical and nursing care.

Denise Robertson, president of the foundation, added: "It is great to see Michael here and it shows what a wonderful charity the Bubble Foundation is. I rate the foundation very highly as it is the difference between life and death."