QUITE often journalists have to meet youngsters who are battling against a life-threatening disease - and it's not easy.
Hannah Jones is another unfortunate child who has been struck with an illness which has almost consumed her.
Leukaemia is an ugly word which has even uglier effects. It turns the world of a close-knit family upside down.
Meeting Hannah for the first time back in February, was a daunting experience. Her mum, Kirsty, was almost at her wits end. She was exhausted caring for the youngster and her other two children.
But this family seems to somehow cope with the hand that life has dealt them.
The first time I saw Hannah she had lost her hair. She looked weak and tired and had spent months taking drugs to keep her alive. She was also connected to tubes.
She'd endured two rounds of chemotherapy and suffered heart failure. But when she walked into the same room as me, I knew she was different - a bit special.
Meeting Hannah was definitely an experience which has stayed with me all these months.
"I'm four," she told me.
"I get very tired but I still like watching videos."
Kirsty explained Hannah's condition to me as clearly as she could. The youngster listened while watching her video. She knew that we discussing her future and she knew it was bleak, but she hadn't given up - she was still fighting.
I met her again last week and this time her hair had grown back and she looked brighter. She's still in remission and that bright candle burning inside her seemed to shine a stronger light than ever.
"I like bubble gum," she said to me. "My favourite flavour is orange. And this is my computer. You can do lots of things on there. You can write letters, play games, or make things for people.
"I like making things for people. I can print them out as well. I really like Pingu. I can watch him on the computer as well.
"This afternoon we're going out to buy Play-doh. I really like Play-doh. Mummy says we can buy quite a bit because we've run out."
So, there I am chatting to this extremely bright youngster and forgetting what she's actually been through. It's easy to forget when you talk to Hannah. She makes you forget.
She's just a five-year-old girl who wants Play-doh, bubble gum, and her computer. And as I watched her clicking the mouse, I reflected on this story.
If this campaign to buy Hannah a wheelchair is successful, it will make a little girl very happy.
To her, that's all there is too it. It's as straightforward as wanting orange-flavoured bubble gum.
*The money just keeps rolling in
OFFERS of help have continued to pour in to help fill the coffers of the Hannah Jones' appeal fund.
At noon yesterday, the five-year-old's fund had £668 in it.
But more money has since been pledged to help buy the youngster an electric wheelchair.
Staff at One on One Fitness Centre in Bromyard Road, Worcester, are organising a fund-raising day in aid of the campaign.
Two fatigues classes will be held for members and non-members on Sunday, September 3, at which the fitness enthusiasts will workout and raise money for the St John's youngster.
The first class will be held between 10-11am and the second will run from 11am to noon. People will be asked to pay £3 each.
Children will also be able to attend the fitness centre. They will be able to pay £1 to swap Pokemon cards.
"This should be a great chance for the adults to enjoy a fitness class and the youngsters to swap cards," said Phil Sutton, spokesman for One on One.
The 1st Leigh St Edburga Guides have also pledged £50 to the cause.
The youngsters recently enjoyed a trip to Switzerland, for which they raised the money themselves.
FACTFILE
ANYONE wanting to pledge money to the Hannah Jones appeal can do so by paying money into a dedicated account at the Abbey National branch in Broad Street, Worcester.
*The account is in Hannah's name and the number is X12 378 821 JON.
*Any pubs, clubs and groups organising fund-raising events or donating cash can call Samantha Jones at the Evening News on 01905 748200 ext 283.
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