A LEUKAEMIA patient is joining cricket legend Sir Ian Botham as he celebrates 25 years of charity walking.

Leslie Johnson, from Rillington, will be walking with Sir Ian at Manchester’s Heaton Park tomorrow, the first leg of his ten-day charity walk to help raise vital funds in the fight against childhood leukaemia.

Leslie was referred to St James’s Hospital, Leeds, last February after developing lumps under his chin and on the side of his neck.

Blood tests revealed he had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and Leslie was accepted on a clinical trial, receiving six months of intensive treatment.

Leslie, a painter and decorator, said: “When I was diagnosed it didn’t really sink in, but over time I have learned so much about it and I am now hopeful about the future.”

The 63-year-old finished his treatment in December and is continuing to have regular check-ups. He has been preparing for the charity event by walking two miles every day with his wife, Karen.

Leslie said: “I really feel so thankful for what people have done for me. I am so looking forward to the walk and meeting others with similar stories.”

Sir Ian will be walking through ten towns over ten days from tomorrow, setting out on the first day from Marks & Spencer in Market Street, Manchester. If you would like to join Sir Ian on one of his walks visit beefy25.com, email beefy25@lrf.org.uk or phone 020 7685 5143.

Alternatively you can sponsor Sir Ian on his JustGiving page at: http://original.justgiving.com/beefy Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research was previously known as Leukaemia Research.