A big-hearted woman is taking the plunge to raise money for a children's leukaemia ward.

Clare Knight, of Broomfield, Silver End, decided do a sponsored swim to raise money for the ward at the Royal London Hospital after her next-door neighbour's ten-year-old daughter spent about two months on the Goldsmith ward, undergoing chemotherapy.

Swim for a friend - Clare Knight with Jasmine Gilvray, 10, of Silver End, who suffers from leukaemia. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON

Jasmine Gilvray was diagnosed with leukaemia in March but is now back home with her parents, Hayley and Tim, after her stay at the hospital.

Mrs Knight, 31, said: "It came as a shock to everyone when Jasmine was diagnosed with leukaemia. She still has to return to hospital for tests but hopefully she is back home for good now.

"I wanted to do something for all the children on the ward and it's not just me. There are four other people who will be doing the swim.

"I have about £900 so far and the sponsor forms are still going round. I hope we will get something between £1,000 to £2,000, which will go towards buying toys and games for the ward so the children have fun things to do during their stay."

The team of five swimmers are hoping to be able to cover ten miles between them at the Bramston sports centre on June 22.

Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003

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