AN inspirational little girl from Willand, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was just three years old, will cycle 13 miles later this summer to raise money for a children’s cancer charity.
Beth Williams, ten, who attends Willand Primary School, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma – a form of cancer that affects fewer than 60 children a year in the UK – after her parents, Chris, 47, and Karen, 46, noticed she kept squinting.
But Beth is now cancer free and will ride in the Great Manchester Cycle on June 29 in aid of the charity Children with Cancer.
Father Chris Williams, a police officer with the Avon & Somerset force, said: “We noticed her eye kept closing but at first the doctors said it was a sty.
“She was given a treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy but that went through her pituitary glands and now she doesn't create natural tears, so every hour she has to put drops in her eyes.
“Beth isn't particularly sporty but she wanted to give something back, so she is going to cycle the 13-mile Great Manchester Cycle, which is a lot for her – they close off all the streets and although some children may be able to do that no problem, it will be a challenge for Beth.
“Thanks to charities like Cancer for Children she is here with us today, so we’re aiming to raise £800 for them.”
Chris will be taking part in a charity bike ride of his own, as he tackles the Ride London 100 in August, with the money raised from that also going to Beth’s chosen charity.
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