A BATTLING Bromsgrove girl who has just finished treatment for leukaemia is saddling up for a charity cycle challenge in the town in support of Leukaemia Research.

Abbie Burford, aged ten, of Ascot Way, Catshill, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February 2004. But she will join friends in pedalling the Bromsgrove Big Bikeathon at Sanders Park on June 11, after finishing her final course of chemotherapy in April and going into remission.

"It feels a bit weird to only have check-ups every four weeks after having treatment regularly for just over two years," said Abbie, who attends Catshill Middle School.

"I'm now looking forward to taking on the Big Bikeathon for the first time since coming off treatment."

Last year, Abbie took on her first bikeathon whilst she was still having intensive treatment and raised over £100. This year, she will be joined in the cycle challenge by friends Kirsty Harding, Adele Britnel, Stephanie Dobbins and Hannah Lewis, and hopes to beat last year's total.

Abbie added: "Last year I heard about the Big Bikeathon from a school newsletter and was determined to get involved.

"Sadly, the day after, I had a temperature and was taken into hospital, though doing the bikeathon made me believe I was strong enough to beat my leukaemia - now I want to help other people beat it too."

The 2005 Bromsgrove Big Bikeathon raised over £1,400 to support vital research, and this year's event promises to be even better.

The event has the support of Match of the Day presenter - and England football hero - Gary Lineker, whose eldest son, George, was treated for leukaemia as a baby ten years ago.

Gary said: "I hope there will be a great turnout in Bromsgrove on June 11 for this great cause that's so close to my heart. It's a really great way to have a bit of fun whilst raising money for a really important cause."

Over the next five years, Leukaemia Research urgently needs to raise over £100million to commit to new research, from basic laboratory research to clinical trials with patients. It is the only national charity devoted exclusively to improving treatments, finding cures and learning how to prevent leukaemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma and other lymphomas, myeloma and the related blood disorders, diagnosed in 24,500 people in the UK every year.

by Sarah Mawhinney