BATTLING 10-year-old Rebecca Harrison has been asked to officially start the Skipton Race for Life fun run after organisers heard of her courageous fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

The annual Race for Life events held across the country raise funds for research and treatment into cancers that affect women.

The inaugural five-kilometre race in Craven will be held at Broughton Hall and already more than 800 women have signed up to take part.

Rebecca, of Sutton, became possibly the quickest transplant patient at St James' Hospital, Leeds, when she was discharged after 32 days following a bone marrow transplant.

The brave youngster was first diagnosed with leukaemia when she was just six and endured two years of intensive treatment.

But in September last year Rebecca and her family had to face the awful reality that the disease had returned and she was taken back to St James for more chemotherapy.

A bone marrow transplant was considered her best chance to beat leukaemia, and following an appeal through the Herald for donors, a match was found for Rebecca at Christmas.

She went into hospital for more chemotherapy and radiotherapy and then on March 14 she received the life saving transplant and is now back home convalescing.

Her mum, Mandy Hurst, said although the transplant went well Rebecca was suffering bouts of fatigue and still has to remain isolated because of her weakened immune system.

She said her daughter was fortunate to have received the transplant but was still quite depressed because she could not go out anywhere.

"Her consultant at Leeds is pleased with her progress and she has today (Monday) recommenced her tutoring for school," said Mandy.

The chance for Rebecca to be the Race for Life official starter came through Skipton Building Society's Joyce Kilvington. When Joyce and Mandy were running partners for last year's race Joyce learnt of Rebecca's battle.

She spoke to race organisers about Rebecca and they were pleased to be able to offer her this opportunity.

Mandy said she had spoken to her daughter's consultant who said she should be able to go out to start the race but would have to return home as soon as possible afterwards. Mandy is running the Skipton race this year and seeking sponsorship from family and friends.

Skipton Building Society hopes to have the largest team in the race and has already collared 125 women into taking part. Their ages range from five-year-old Tara Mathewson to 72-year-old Mona Townson, who are pictured above.