A charity in Bradford is launching a major medical research project which aims to improve therapies for patients suffering from leukaemia and other blood-related disorders.

The Annette Fox Leukaemia Research Fund, based at Bradford Royal Infirmary, is channelling money from two legacies into the three-year venture involving the hospital and Leeds General Infirmary.

The project meets the wishes of Shipley woman Madeleine Myers, whose elder sister Sheila Aitken lost her life to a malignant blood disorder.

Miss Myers, who died in October 1995, left £43,000 to the charity asking the money be used for research.

Further funding for the research fellowship will come from part of a £300,000 bequest from Richmal Chadwick, of Thornton, who died last August following a long fight against leukaemia, leaving the biggest gift ever received by the charity.

Specialist registrar Dr Roger Owen, who will shortly take up the post funded by the charity, will focus on research into Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic leukaemia.

Dr Liakat Parapia, consultant haematologist at the infirmary and a driving force behind the charity, said: "The post will play a key role in the fight against leukaemia and other blood disorders and it is a development which would have pleased both Madeleine and Richmal very much.

"Bradford has developed an excellent reputation for its work in treating patients with blood disorders and this initiative will ensure our progress continues."

Miss Myers had long been a supporter of the fund, donating time and money with others to seal the opening of the Annette Fox haematology unit at the infirmary six years ago, leading to the naming of a room on the ward in honour of her and her sister.

Miss Chadwick had been treated for leukaemia for many years and left the bulk of her estate to the appeal following care she received from Dr Parapia.

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