IT'S been a long hard road to recovery but finally Ross McGuinness has returned home.

The 13-year-old from Southampton has pulled through a life-saving bone marrow transplant operation to treat a rare blood disorder thanks to younger sister Holly, who insisted her bone marrow was donated to him.

For Ross' family it's the best Christmas present imaginable. Dad Jeff McGuinness said: "It looks like being a great Christmas we are so glad to have him home. It means I'll be able to go back to work."

As reported in the Daily Echo last month, Ross, a pupil at Cantell Secondary School, underwent an operation to cure myelodysplasia, a condition that affects one in 500,000 people. Diagnosed last year the disorder meant that Ross' bone marrow had stopped generating red and white blood cells and was life-threatening unless a suitable donor could be found.

Despite only a 30 per cent chance of a donor match Ross' sister Holly, 10, proved to be the perfect bone marrow donor. In October, the successful operation was performed at the Bristol Children's Hospital, where Ross had been receiving treatment.

Dad Jeff, had been forced to give up his job as a painter and decorator to look after the family while mum Karen stayed with Ross in Bristol. Jeff said: "Ross' immune system is almost back to normal now but it's like a new car you've got to run it for a while before it gets going properly.

"Ross now has a five-year timetable for recovery and he will still need to go for regular treatment at Southampton General. He should be able to go back to school after Easter next year."

Last month friends, colleagues and Saints players turned out at the County Golf Club, in West End, for a charity golf day to raise funds for the McGuinness family, from Burgess Road, Southampton. The event collected £5,000 - the family have been without any income while Ross received treatment. Jeff added: "We are so grateful to all those who have supported and helped us, especially Mark Stratton."