Malcolm to take a ride on big zipper

Mar 2 2007 By Paul James, The Journal

A father whose daughter has fought leukaemia for five of her seven years will fly at 30mph off the Tyne Bridge in a bid to find her a lifesaver.

Malcolm Curry's adopted daughter Abigail was diagnosed at the age of two, since when she has spent her life in and out of hospital.

Afro-Caribbean Abigail, who spent time at the RVI with Josie Grove, is in desperate need of a miracle - but Malcolm knows that the right person is out there to join the bone marrow register and save his daughter.

Now the 55-year-old, a joiner for Sunderland Housing Group, has snapped up one of 400 places on the Anthony Nolan Trust's exhilarating 400ft zip slide from the Tyne Bridge to the Gateshead Quayside in May to raise cash for the charity and help recruit more donors.

The event raised £60,000 last year, which organisers are hoping to beat during this year's challenge, taking place from Saturday, May 5, to Monday, May 7.

The Journal is urging readers to join the donor register in Josie's name. Josie died on Monday, two months after giving up her leukaemia treatment to spend the time she had left with her family. As part of our appeal, a special email address has been set up for our readers to sign up in memory of 16-year-old Josie, of Corbridge, Northumberland.

Although her second transplant was unsuccessful, it allowed her family, who have backed our campaign, to spend an extra two years with her.

And Malcolm, who lives with wife Joanne, 38, and daughters Abigail and Jasmine, four, in Wheatall Drive, Whitburn, South Tyneside, said it was imperative that more potential donors sign up. The search for a tissue match for Abigail is even more difficult than for a European child, as the number of people from ethnic minorities on the donor register is so low.

He said: "Anyone can be a life-saver. This is such a small thing to do but it's hugely important for anyone who requires a bone marrow donor.

"Somebody can be a hero just by signing the register. It would give us back a normal life, compared to the five years in and out of hospitals which Abigail has had. It's critical we find a bone marrow donor. That search is going on now, and that's why I want to do this to raise the profile of the Anthony Nolan Trust."

Trust North-East area manager Peter Finnigan said: "Events like this are crucial for us. It means that money is there to get people on the register and we can get out there on the day and encourage more people to sign up. We just don't have enough people, and enough from ethnic minority backgrounds, on our register. I can't overstate how important this is."

It costs £70 for the Anthony Nolan Trust to register one person - and Peter said if all 400 places are taken up it would give the charity enough cash to add 800 people to its list of potential donors. To take part in the Zip Slide, ring 01388 529430 or email peter.finnigan@anthonynolan.org.uk

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'If the world was full of people like Josie, what a wonderful place it would be'

Scores of Journal readers have been signing our online book of condolence for Josie Grove.

As well as messages from across the region, people have written from as far as Harrogate, Cardiff and Surrey to pay tribute to the 16-year-old. Carl Liddle, from Ponteland, said: "Like so many folk of the region, and beyond, I read The Journal's moving tribute with tears in my eyes.

"Over the last two years I have lost both of my parents, my mother to cancer, and salute the bravery of a very special young lady.

"Let's all do something to keep Josie's spirit and cheery smile alive. Kindest regards to the Grove family, your bravery is inspirational." Tony and Carol Young, from Cramlington, Northumberland, said: "We know how proud you were of Josie but take time out to be proud of yourselves for raising such a beautiful, caring young lady as Josie. If the world was full of people like Josie, what a wonderful place it would be."

Nicola and Paul Scott, from Gateshead, said: "My sister Stephanie was a good friend of Josie's and we have all been touched by her fantastic outlook on life and hugely saddened by her death."

Ed Curran, from Newcastle, said: "A brave girl with a heart of gold, your passing brought tears of woe. I never knew you but certainly admired your bravery and sunny disposition."

To sign the book, visit www.journallive.co.uk