Brave Newport teen's race to fight leukaemia

Thirteen-year-old Sophie McKevitt, from Lilleshall, near Newport, will need a wheelchair to take part in the Cancer Research event after recently receiving gruelling chemotherapy treatment.

But despite her condition she insisted on joining the race at Telford Town Park on Sunday.

Proud mum Colette, who will also be taking part, along with Sophie's 14-year old sister Emily, said: "Sophie asked if we could do it because she really wants to raise money for people to be treated for cancer like she is. We took part two years ago but this year is going to be very poignant as cancer has now really hit home."

Sophie, who also has an 11-year-old brother Joshua, was diagnosed after only falling ill for a week. She had been on an outdoor adventure course and came home saying that she felt cold and had a pain in her leg.

Colette later found a few tiny red spots on her daughter's body and Sophie was struggling to put any weight on her leg.

Her GP sent her to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and later Alder Hey Children's Hospital and after a series of blood tests it was revealed that she was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. "I just couldn't believe it," said Colette, 44, who is married to Jason, 43.

"One of Sophie's good friends Ellen, who lives nearby, had been diagnosed with leukaemia just a couple of years before and I thought they've got it wrong, it's too rare to happen again."

Sophie is still undergoing the intensive phase of her treatment but it's hoped she will start the less intensive maintenance phase in July.

The youngster is also hoping to go back to school in September.

"She is doing so well considering what her body has been through," said Colette.

"Her hair was just starting to grow back but has fallen out again with the latest bout of chemotherapy. She's been so laid back about it all though and just tells me to shave it all off.

"Her friend Ellen has been a positive role model because she has come through her treatment and Sophie can see for herself that you can survive leukaemia. She has even said to me 'mum I'm lucky because I've got a cancer that can be treated'."

Organisers of Telford Race for Life are hoping 1,900 women will take part in the event, raising £125,000 for Cancer Research UK.