A CARING 20-year-old from Tuckton has given £1,000 to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital in memory of her grandfather who recently died of cancer.

Christchurch Young Citizen of the Year Leanne Medhurst from Belle Vue Road has been cured of Hodgkin's Lymphoma herself, as has her father Tim.

Her grandfather Leslie David Barnett was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer in July and died at the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital on September 5.

Southampton University social work student Leanne said: "My Nana, Doreen M Barnett, and Grandad were a great support especially during my illness.

"We all miss Grandad so much, but I know he would be so pleased that £1,000 has been raised by his friends and family.

"This money will benefit the Tenovus Diamond Appeal, a very necessary and worthwhile charity."

Leanne's father was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph glands just two weeks after she was born in April 1985.

He underwent chemotherapy at the Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton.

The disease returned twice after the initial diagnosis and it was suggested that his only chance of survival was to try a new treatment being pioneered by Dr Bell at Boscombe Hospital.

It was early days for the new Autograft method of storing bone marrow and only five people had been involved in the trial.

"Suffice to say 20 years on from his initial diagnosis he is still here and well," said Leanne.

Her cancer was diagnosed last July. She has also undergone chemotherapy treatment and is currently in remission. "The Autograft is the last resort, when all else fails," she said.

The Tenovus Diamond Appeal is to raise money to extend and improve Wards 10 and 11, the two cancer wards at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

First published: November 11, 2005