|  |  |  | | | | Leukaemia survivor and miracle father to join Beefy on fundraising walk | | | | |
| |  Sean Holden
Release Date: 11 August 2008
Leukaemia survivor Sean Holden is preparing to join cricketing legend Sir Ian Botham in Penshurst Place, Tunbridge Wells on 12 October on his legendary fundraising walk for leading blood cancer charity Leukaemia Research.
In 1995, Sean was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Following chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Sara, Sean has returned to full health.
During the treatment, Sean, then a TV reporter, made an award winning diary documentary ‘Sean’s War’ about what was happening to him in his four and a half months in hospital.
Sean and his wife Corinna were warned that chemotherapy would mean they could not have children. Miraculously, Sean and Corinna have defied medical odds and have four children, now aged 9,8,6 and 5. After several rounds of IVF they got their first baby boy, Jude, but the next three, Jake, Freya and Finn, were conceived naturally.
Sean, who serves as a Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillor, says: "I feel incredibly fortunate to have come through leukaemia to lead an active family life with four beautiful children.
"It is extremely rare to recover fertility after such fierce treatment but it’s wonderful to have seen life fight back in our children.
"I know first hand that leukaemia is a horrible disease and I’m walking with Beefy to beat childhood blood cancer."
‘Beefy’s Great British Walk - Against Childhood Leukaemia’ is taking in nine UK cities from 10-18 October 2008 and for the first time members of the public will be able to join Sir Ian on part of his walk each day.
On 12 October, Sir Ian will start his walk outside event sponsor Marks & Spencer’s store on Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells. He will walk to meet members of the public at Penshurst Place where they will join him for a six-mile sponsored walk.
Sir Ian, President of Leukaemia Research, says: "In 1985, when I first started walking to raise funds for Leukaemia Research, the survival rate for children with leukaemia was 20 percent, now the survival rate is 80 percent.
"Join me on my 2008 walk and together we will help beat this terrible disease. I determined to see all children survive in my lifetime."
This will be Beefy’s 12th charity walk, kicking off in Taunton on 10 October where he started his cricket career. Taunton is also the location of the hospital where he first met youngsters with leukaemia who inspired him to start his fundraising walks.
Following Taunton, Sir Ian will take in Windsor, Tunbridge Wells, Bury St Edmunds, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Llandudno, Harrogate and Milngavie (nr Glasgow). The 2008 Walk finishes in Durham on 18 October, where he ended his professional cricket career.
Sir Ian says: "I need people to sign up now and make this my best walk ever.
"Places on each stage of the walk are filling up quickly so if you would like to join me you can visit www.bothamwalk.com, call 020 7685 5133 or email bothamwalk@lrf.org.uk."
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