Joe Smale

My 13 year old son Joe is battling leukaemia for the third time in his life. He has inspired friends and family and his whole school community with his bravery and good humoured approach to a gruelling bone marrow transplant and long hospital stays in isolation. He has so far raised around £30k for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research by riding the London Bikeathon every year and the Forget me Not walks led by Ian Botham.He promotes his cause by giving talks and interviews, urging others to get involved and raise money. He has this year started a fund raising campaign through Twitter, Facebook and a short youtube video, which can be seen at www.youtube.com/joesbikeathon. He rarely feels sorry for himself, despite immense hardship and pain, and thinks of what he can do for others during this long hard battle for his health and his life.He has set a great example to adults and other kids not to let extreme bad luck squash your zest for life. He hopes to realise his dreams of one day being a chef! Joe loves all sports with a passion. As a proud Londoner, he would be utterly thrilled to carry the Olympic Torch in 2012.