AS a testament to her fantastic progress following a lifesaving bone marrow transplant last year, 11-year-old Rebecca Harrison will be competing in the 2004 Race for Life.

Rebecca officially started last year's five-kilometre race, the first to be held in Craven, after the organisers heard about her brave battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

She was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was six and has endured years of treatment.

In the run-up to last year's race she was living in isolation following the transplant. She was given the go-ahead by consultants to launch the race, but was advised to return home as soon after it as possible.

Although she still has check-ups every two months, she leads a full and active life.

Her mum, Mandy Hurst, said: "She has done remarkably well. The consultants at St James' are chuffed to bits with her."

The Parish Church School pupil told the Herald that she was looking forward to taking part in the event, at Broughton Hall on May 16, and hoped to raise lots of money.

Mandy, who ran and finished the race last year in just over 26 minutes and raised £175, is also entering again this year.

She said that the event had a great atmosphere. "It's a great way to celebrate life," she added."

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With less than a month to go until the race, 1,200 women have already signed up.