Two sisters have given the three lions a boost.

The England team will take with them good luck messages from seriously ill children across the country who have benefited from their support during the past year.

WellChild, the national charity for sick children, is an official partner of the Team England Footballers Charity and asked some of the youngsters it has helped to create pictures, poems and messages for the England squad that were included in a Book of Hope which was presented to the players ahead of their World Cup warm-up match against Mexico at Wembley.

Among the youngsters whose goodwill messages are contained in the book are sisters Jessica, 11, and Stephanie, eight, Redfearn.

Jessica, a pupil at The North School, was just nine when she suffered a stroke at a friend’s birthday party. It left her unable to talk, walk or control the right side of her body. But her determination and hard work with physiotherapists to improve her mobility has worked wonders, says her mum Tarnia.

The Redfearn family have received help from WellChild and Jessica was presented with the charity’s bravest child award, for her courageous efforts in overcoming adversity, by the charity’s patron Prince Harry.

As a result, both Jessica and Stephanie were invited by the charity to write a good luck message to the England players for inclusion in the book.

Tarnia Redfearn said: “They think it’s great that their letters appear in the book and will be cheering on England at the World Cup.”