Banks a lot

Jan 6 2007 By Hayley Beattie, The Journal

Inspirational Josie Grove yesterday came face to face with the man who sparked a region-wide fundraising campaign that has already raised thousands in her honour.

The 16-year-old moved the nation after deciding to turn her back on her treatment for leukaemia in order to spend time with her family - touching the heart of nobody more than Journal columnist David Banks.

And the 58-year-old, who also suffered from leukaemia, shed a tear yesterday as he hugged with the girl who has put him on the road to better health.

At Josie's home in Corbridge, Northumberland, the pair shared jokes and stories of their experiences of their treatment, and Josie offered her 24-stone new friend some tips on how to stop his hunger cravings.

David, who has already lost 10lbs since he started his diet three weeks ago, told the 16-year-old: "You are my inspiration and people have been incredibly touched by your story."

And Josie warned him: "Every time you think about having something naughty just think of my face," and posed for a photograph of her wagging her finger which David, of Crookham, Northumberland, has now promised to put up around his house.

Afterwards Josie said: "It has been

brilliant to meet David and I think what he is doing is fantastic as he is helping me to raise lots of money.

"I really hope he achieves what he wants to achieve and I will definitely be supporting him. It has been great to talk to someone who understands what I am talking about and what I have been through."

Afterwards David said: "Meeting Josie has given me a tremendous boost to reach my goal. I think she is fantastic.

"My whole family wants to thank Josie for pushing me into losing weight."

The pair have now agreed to meet up regularly so Josie can keep a check on how much weight David is losing.

He added: "I have become the best known belly in the North-East and I know a lot of people are watching, which makes me more determined to do it."

As donations from Journal readers to the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund passed £3,400, Josie and her family said they had been astounded by the outpouring of support from people across the region who all want to back the campaign.

"I never expected that so much would come from telling people about my decision," Josie said.

Her mum Jacqui, 44, and Dad Cliff, 46, both jewellery designers, said the appeal had helped the family find a purpose for her life. Jacqui said: "It has made a huge difference to our family. We have always said Josie has such great potential, with such a magical personality, and we always felt that it was such a shame that it was all going to waste.

"When you have a child who is terminally sick you are always trying to find a reason for it and this has given us a reason."

The family, including Josie's brother, Freddie, 13, sister Libby, 11, and nine-month-old brother Charlie had a white Christmas thanks to a special snow machine, and Josie got the Scalectrix she asked for.

Josie said: "It was a lovely Christmas and the snow machine was brilliant."

She is now looking forward to a break in London when she is hoping to catch up with a friend from the family's time in Thailand.

---------------------------------------------------------

Selfless teenager shares her gifts

Instead of spending Christmas money on herself Josie decided to buy lots of presents for children on the ward at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital where she spent so much of her time.

Hundreds of well-wishers sent cards and small donations of money to the 16-year-old to spend on herself at Christmas.

But the inspirational teenager instead handed over her specially-chosen gifts to all the children on ward 16 on Christmas Eve.

Her mum Jacqui said parents of children currently being treated at the hospital had thanked Josie and told her how much they appreciated what she was doing.

And Josie now wants some of the money she has helped to raise to go towards modernising the ward. "It hasn't been updated in years," she said.

"I want all the money which is being raised to go to all the charities which help children enjoy their lives and go out and do exciting things."

The family are now trying to have something to look forward to week by week and sharing a lot of happy memories.

Josie said: "One of the reasons I wanted to stop the treatment was so I could spend some more time with my brothers and sister, who I hardly saw when I was in hospital."

Mother Jacqui added: "We are making up for lost memories and taking lots of pictures and we have bought a video camera, especially for Charlie as Josie has been like his second mother."

---------------------------------------------------------

How you can help

The Journal is urging readers to get behind our bid to raise money for Josie's fund.

There are two ways you can do your bit to help:

Anyone wishing to sponsor our columnist David Banks in his effort to shed the pounds in aid of the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund should fill in the form, below right, and return it to The Journal, saying how much money you are pledging.

or:

Let us know what fitness-related fundraising method you have come up with yourself to raise cash for The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.

We are urging our readers to come up with fundraising ideas - it could be a sponsored swim, a sponsored football match or even a sponsored bungee jump.

Please contact The Journal newsdesk with information of any events - solo or team - you have arranged to help boost the fund.

Sponsorship forms are available by email or post from The Journal.

Anyone wishing to get involved should contact the newsdesk on (0191) 201-6344 or email jnl.newdesk@ncjmedia.co.uk

You can send cheques payable to The Dove Trust (registered charity 287401) - with Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund written on the back - to The Journal, PO Box 1146, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1ET.