Beefy’s praise for little Maisie

MY hero . . Sir Ian Botham with Maisie

A BRAVE young girl from Royton represented Greater Manchester in Sir Ian Botham’s Great British Walk.

Inspiring Maisie Whitworth (4), who has battled leukaemia since the age of one, walked over the finishing line on the cricket legend’s Manchester leg of his charity walk.

The former England star, nicknamed Beefy, hailed Maisie as a “local hero” after meeting her at Lord’s cricket ground last year for the launch of his enduring 150-mile challenge, which is in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Maisie joined family, friends and scores of fundraisers in Tatton Park, Cheshire, yesterday for the fun-filled charity day out.

Proud mum, Lisa, said: “It is just so lovely for Maisie to be recognised and be a part of this wonderful day.

“We are so grateful to Beefy for raising the amount of money he does.

“He does this year in year out for children like Maisie.

The little fighter, who attends St Anne’s Primary School, has undergone intensive chemotherapy and finished her treatment in November.

“She is going to school and she is a happy girl.”

Beefy finishes his walk on Saturday, after crossing 10 cities in 10 days.