A YOUNG girl will take part in a sponsored walk in memory of the father that she never knew.

Bailey Williams, aged seven, was born three months after her dad David died of bowel cancer in September, 2009.

David Thomas was just 28 and spent his last weeks as a patient at St Ann's Hospice in Little Hulton, after he had been diagnosed three years earlier.

Bailey, from Wardley, will complete the one-kilometre Parade in the Park route – to be held in Parr Fold Park in Walkden – with other members of her family.

She will be joined by mum Cheryl, auntie Jenna Stone and cousins Oliver, aged six and Poppy, aged seven months, on Saturday.

Cheryl, aged 34, said: "I saw the Parade in the Park advertised on social media and Jenna has taken part in the Manchester Midnight Walk in memory of her brother so we thought that it would be nice for Bailey to honour her father by doing something like this.

"She has always been too young to understand everything but she will be eight soon and so is beginning to realise why her father isn't around.

“The parade is a great event because children can take part and I'm sure it will be a wonderful atmosphere. David died eight years ago and the fact that the event falls so close to the anniversary is very fitting. I am sure that he would be very proud of his daughter for doing something like this for him."

David had bowel cancer for three years before being admitted to the hospice.

Cheryl added: "He was really sick and the cancer had spread, so we decided to admit him to St Ann's but sadly he passed away soon after.

"His death has left a huge hole in our lives. Bailey is so much like him, cheeky and one of a kind."

Cheryl added that she still finds it difficult to think back to the testing times that the family endured in 2009 but was full of praise for the work that the hospice does.

She said: "It's nice to support St Ann's Hospice because the care David received was outstanding and the work that they all do there is amazing.

"It is still very difficult to get over and doesn't get any easier. I've probably only been back to the hospice twice since David died because going just brings it all back."

Poppy, from Atherton, is seven months old and will be pushed in her pram, joining dozens of other children and parents in the sponsored walk organised by the hospice.

Music and entertainment will start the event at 10am with the walk starting at 11am.

Organiser of the event, Fran Wilson said: "It'll be a fun day out and we expect some of those walking will want to honour the memory of loved ones.

“They will receive dedication ribbons of remembrance which will be placed on the bandstand for one week after the event."

Entry is £7 per child, or £5 per child for groups of three or more children and adults go free.

To enter, people can call 0161 498 3631, email events@sah.org.uk or go to sah.org.uk/events/parade-in-the-park-walkden/

To sponsor the family visit paradeinthepark.everydayhero.com/uk/1km-parade-in-the-park