Danny Hodgson’s mum and dad have spent a precious 30 minutes with their son in an Australian hospital after being granted a compassionate visit.

It is the first time the Cumbrian footballer's parents Nicola and Peter have been able to see Danny since he was hospitalised in an allegedly unprovoked attack.

They flew to Perth in recent days and were allowed dispensation to visit Danny amid the strict Covid restrictions in Western Australia.

The 25-year-old west Cumbrian is in a critical condition and Peter and Nicola later spoke about the emotional moment they were able to see Danny in Royal Perth Hospital.

“We are eternally grateful to be granted a visit with Danny and can’t thank the Western Australian Government, Royal Perth Hospital and everyone else who helped us to be at our son’s bedside enough,” said Peter.

“Not climbing into bed with Danny to cuddle him was the hardest thing I have ever had to do,” added Nicola. “I feel like am living someone's else's life.”

Danny's parents were dressed in full PPE and had to remain 1.5m away from Danny due to Covid restrictions.

The family said they respected Western Australia’s strict border and disease control measures designed to limit the spread of the virus.

The Hodgsons have also received a further heartwarming show of support from the community in Perth.

Members of the Coastal Scottish Pipe Band and the Cockburn Pipe Band gathered outside the Pan Pacific Hotel, where Peter and Nicola are quarantined, and played Waltzing Matilda, Amazing Grace and Danny Boy as Nicola and Peter watched from their hotel room.

The bands were flanked by Danny's team-mates from ECU Joondalup Football Club.

“It was absolutely amazing and gave us a real boost,” said Peter.

“It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for us we will remember it forever.

“Thank you, Western Australia. Please keep our Danny in your thoughts and prayers."

The Cumbrian community also continues to show its love and support to Danny and his family.

The 25-year-old's former club Cleator Moor Celtic held up a shirt bearing Danny's number 7 at their FA Vase game against Sunderland West End on Saturday.

Rugby league club Wath Brow Hornets also made a similar gesture at their game against Barrow Island.

Carlisle United, where Danny was a youth team player, have said they will offer the young player and his family all the support they can.

A fundraising appeal, launched by Danny's friend Steven Burton, has raised more than $121,000 to help with Danny's recovery. You can donate here

The huge show of support to the family also saw a big response to Nicola's desperate appeal for help with securing a flight to Perth last week.

Danny was the vistim of an alleged unprovoked attack last Saturday near a train station in Perth.

A 15-year-old boy will appear in court on September 22 charged with girevous bodily harm.