IT’S an image that has helped him through the toughest of moments of his epic challenge.

Running through the streets of Southampton and into a packed St Mary’s stadium is what is spurring on Franny Benali as he takes on the final miles of a mammoth 1,000-mile journey for charity.

Today he will do just that – accompanied by two very special young boys who symbolise the driving force behind his incredible feat.

And he’s hoping for a heroes’ welcome that will raise the roof.

• Find out where you can see Franny as he arrives in Southampton >>

Eight-year-old Jack Joslin and Hayden Stanley, seven, will be the mascots holding Franny’s hand as he completes his challenge by running on to the pitch at half-time during Saints’ home clash with Newcastle United.

Daily Echo:

Hayden Stanley

Both boys are cancer survivors who have experienced more than most at such a young age.

Jack, from Chandler’s Ford, was left completely immobile and reliant on a wheelchair following 18 hours of surgery last year for medulloblastoma, a fast-growing brain tumour.

The youngster, who is being treated in Southampton and Winchester, has faced numerous medical procedures since, including blood transfusions. He has been back and forward to hospital in Winchester recently after suffering infections at the end of his latest course of chemotherapy.

Between hospital trips, Jack has had only a few hours’ respite at home as experts deal with his weak immune system. His treatment is ongoing.

Daily Echo:

Jack Joslin

Jack’s mum, Lisa, said: “He is such a strong little boy and we have everything crossed he will be able to cross the finish line with Franny at the end of his challenge”.

Lisa, 43, said staff at Hiltingbury Junior School had been very supportive of Jack, who has an older brother, Harry, aged 12, and he had managed to attend school a few afternoons throughout his treatment.

A home tutor has also been provided for the youngster by an outreach nurse.

Fellow mascot Hayden was diagnosed with leukaemia four days before his third birthday.

The youngster had no symptoms and the diagnosis came as a shock. The intensive chemotherapy treatment which followed caused problems with his heart and the treatment left him susceptible to infections which meant he spent a lot of time in isolation in hospital.

Hayden, who nevertheless managed to attend school full-time, finished his treatment over a year ago and regular check-ups confirm he is doing well.

A pupil at St James Primary School, West End, the youngster went through over three years of cancer treatment without mentioning a word to his friends.

It was not until a school project about Florence Nightingale and hospitals that Hayden opened up about his experience – writing about it in his homework and then standing up in class to tell pals his story.

Mum Fiona, said: “Hayden never complained. He just accepted having cancer as part of life. Everything he went through made him into the caring loving boy he is”.

She said Hayden, who also has a brother Josh, 18, and sisters Mia, 12, and Freya, aged one, was absolutely thrilled to be asked to be Franny’s mascot.

“It made him feel very special. When I told him what he had been asked to do, he jumped up and down on my bed. He recently joined a football club and has been so desperate to go and see a match! This has topped that!”