FRIENDS and relatives of a little girl fighting leukaemia are planning to walk from south Essex to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital to support her recovery.

Little Maddison Webb, from Pitsea, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the end of January after a lump was discovered in her neck.

Maddison, just 18 months old, has since been undergoing tough chemotherapy treatment at both Great Ormond Street and Basildon Hospital and faces, at least, a two-year battle before she is back to full health.

The shocking news has not only hit parents John and Stephanie and their six-year-old son, Alfie, hard, but also colleagues of Mr Webb, who have been inspired to show their support.

Workers at the Argos warehouse, in Miles Gray Road, Basildon, are holding a silent auction this month to raise funds for Great Ormond Street.

Once the money has been collected, a group of supporters will walk on Saturday, April 28, from Basildon to the London hospital to hand over the funds – a total of 27.7 miles.

Ricky Smith, who is organising the charity events, said: “We have all been touched by Maddison’s story and are all trying to get behind John and his family and give them as much support as possible.”

The funds will be donated to the Be Child Cancer Aware Beads of Courage UK programme.

Maddison is among the many children signed up to the Beads programme and collects a bead for every treatment she receives at Great Ormond Street. If enough money is raised, Maddison will become an official bead sponsor of Basildon Hospital to allow children there to receive help through the programme, with Maddison’s Miles beads being handed out to other youngsters battling cancer.

A number of companies have got the ball rolling by making donations to the auction or supporting the walk, including Aramark, Wincanton, Scania, Choice Discount Stores and Argos.

However, more donations of prizes are needed to raise as much money as possible.

Mr Smith said: “We cannot have enough to auction, so any item or event or anything people may want to bid on would be hugely appreciated. This started out as a small idea, but has grown and grown.”

Maddison’s dad John, 38, said: “Being told your child has a life-threatening illness shatters your world. The support from family and friends has been overwhelming.

“It is truly appreciated and is what is enabling us to continue and look forward.

Mum Stephanie, 38, added: “These charity events will not only help our family, but many many others, some of whom we have met and become friends with, so thank you to everyone involved.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/madd isons-miles to sponsor or e-mail tiggrrrsmith@aol.com to donate.