Maisie leads walk with cricket legend

LOCAL HERO: leukaemia sufferer Maisie Whitworth, with mum Lisa

AN inspiring leukaemia patient from Royton will lead the way on a Great British Walk with cricket legend Sir Ian Botham.

Maisie Whitworth (4) has been hailed a ‘Local Hero’, and will join the former England all-rounder on the Manchester leg of his 200-mile challenge to raise money to beat childhood blood cancers.

The young girl, who has battled her condition for the past two years, joined the sports star at Lord’s today to launch the walk, which takes place next April.

Maisie will next meet Sir Ian at Tatton Park along with scores of fundraisers to raise vital money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

The world of parents Lisa and Ian, of Windmill Close, was turned upside down a fortnight before Maisie’s second birthday — when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Lisa said: “Maisie had been poorly for a while with recurrent chest infections but doctors said that she was just picking up things from nursery.

“When she eventually developed bruising and a rash I became really worried and took her to hospital.

“The doctors initially thought that it was meningitis but later tests at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital revealed that it was leukaemia.

“I did not even know leukaemia was cancer before that day, nothing can prepare you for that sort of news.”

The little fighter, who attends St Anne’s Primary School, has been undergoing constant intensive chemotherapy treatment since and is due to finish treatment in November.

She is just one of 12 Local Heroes chosen nationally to help Sir Ian on his quest.

Lisa added: “It’s been very challenging for us all but I’m so proud of her and we’re so pleased that she has been chosen as a Local Hero.

“It’s so important to raise awareness about this disease so that other families can recognise the symptoms.”

The Chronicle reported over a year ago how Lisa and pals raised more than £4,000 in honour of her plucky daughter — as she embarked on a night walking marathon.

To join Sir Ian and Maisie on their walk visit www.beatingbloodcancers.org.uk/beefywalk2012