A PLUCKY 11-year-old leukaemia sufferer from Chorley is the inspiration behind a 24-hour fund-raising 'row-athon' to raise much needed funds for charity.

Members from the Astley Park Fitness Centre, Park Road, Chorley, have organised the rowing event on Saturday October 2 to raise money for the charity - Child and Adult Leukaemia.

Their inspiration came from brave Parklands High School pupil Sarah Heyworth, from Balmoral Road in Chorley.

Sarah was diagnosed as having a tumour in her left leg just six weeks ago, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Christie Hospital in Manchester.

Sarah's mother Lynda Gallagher, 34, who has been a member of the fitness centre since it opened last October, explained: "It was Shaun Ginger, the owner of the centre, who first came up with the idea after meeting Sarah.

"The staff had already raised £600 for Child and Adult Leukaemia by holding a fancy dress party, so the staff were all on for doing a bit more.

"We are going to try and raise as much as we possibly can to help the hospital with things like computers, the Internet and video recorders."

"We want as many people as possible to take part in the row-athon, or to sponsor us for the event", added Shaun.

"They can either pop into the fitness centre to pick up a sponsorship form, or they can just put some money in buckets which will be in the gym on the day of the event."

"We want to try and get around 50 people to take part in the 24-hour row, so if there's anyone out there who feels they can help, they can call the fitness centre on Chorley 414888."

You can also take your cash donations to the Crispy Cob cafe, Market Street, Lancashire Fayre, or Dillon and Blake hairdressers, Market Street, Chorley.

ZRow-athon . .Sarah with Shaun Ginger

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