John Phillips A WOMAN struck down with leukaemia aged three, is gearing up for a charity run in aid of the famous children s hospital that treated her. Louise Bennett, 25, will follow in the footsteps of dad Stuart, 50, who was featured in the Recorder when he took par

John Phillips

A WOMAN struck down with leukaemia aged three, is gearing up for a charity run in aid of the famous children's hospital that treated her.

Louise Bennett, 25, will follow in the footsteps of dad Stuart, 50, who was featured in the Recorder when he took part in sponsored runs for leukaemia research when his daughter was in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Louise, of Philip Avenue, Rush Green, survived odds of three to one, receiving four successive chemotherapy doses in 1987-1988.

Now, 21 years on, the Met police finance manager has decided to embark on her first charity payback by taking part in next month's Adidas Half Marathon.

Louise said: "Great Ormond Street is very close to my heart. It's absolutely magical in just the fact I went through such a bad experience, leukaemia, but got so many happy memories from it."

Despite being so young at the time, she remembers being wired up to tubes, the dedicated nurses and doctors and an exciting Easter bunny hunt.

Police training instructor Stuart raised money for Great Ormond Street and the Leukaemia Research Fund for 10 years after Louise was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a form of blood cancer normally associated with adults.

Mr Bennett completed marathons, a 100-mile walk, the London to Brighton walk, and other sponsored runs spearheaded by former England cricketer Sir Ian Botham.

Louise stressed the importance of research and financial support.

She said: "Back in '87 they didn't have all the technology and medicines they have now.

"If you look at the survival rates, they have gone up. People have been able to invest money and research and provide better treatment."

The Adidas run takes place on Sunday, March 15. To sponsor Louise, go to justgiving.com/louisebennett5.