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Battling Tom joins Beefy Botham in walk to help others
Six-year-old Tom Cowpe has been through more in his short life than most ever will.
The brave youngster was diagnosed with leukaemia just before he turned five and has been undergoing chemotherapy ever since.
But despite the gruelling treatment and pain he has to go through, Tom wants to help others.
So next month he will join cricket legend Sir Ian Botham, famously nicknamed Beefy, on a sponsored walk through Winchester in aid of blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
'I'm really excited,' said Tom of Invincible Road, Hill Head.
'I'm looking forward to the walk. I want to help other children with leukaemia.'
Tom's parents Sam and Paul first noticed something was wrong when his temperature began to fluctuate and he had less energy.
Mrs Cowpe, 44, said: 'At the time we just thought it was a virus, we didn't think it was anything serious.
'Then we were told he had leukaemia - it was horrendous. I didn't think in a million years it would be cancer. It was a complete and utter shock and so hard to adjust to, but you just have to.'
Tom is undergoing a course of chemotherapy treatment which will finish in January 2012. It can cause sickness, severe tiredness and can also affect his walking.
But the youngster is determined to walk as much of the fundraiser as he can.
Mrs Cowpe said: 'I am so proud of him. He has been through so much pain and discomfort but he's just got on with it. He copes brilliantly.
'His chemo can affect his walking so he will get tired during the walk but he's a very determined.
'He's really excited about taking part.'
Sir Ian, who is the president of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and has been fundraising to beat childhood leukaemia for 25 years, will walk for 10 miles through the city, before arriving at the Abbey where other supporters will join him. It is one of 10 walks he will do in the space of 10 days.
After meeting Tom in London to launch the event, Sir Ian said: 'Children like Tom are the reason I keep walking. I never forget why I put myself through the pain and blisters. I won't stop until we beat childhood leukaemia.'
To sign up to the Winchester walk on April 14, or make a donation, visit beefy25.com, email beefy25@llresearch.org.uk or call 02076 855143.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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