UNTIL two years ago Paul Creighton was a high flying adventurer.

The 19-years-old student was well on the way to gaining his glider pilot's licence with 70 Squadron ATC at Croft, and helped to organise Adventure Scouts at St Peter's, Leigh.

Then tragically in September 1996 he was grounded when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Now, after two and a half years of intense medical treatment, he uses a walking frame and a wheelchair.

But if things go well in the next few weeks he can look forward a new future.

He is to receive a second stem cell transplant - this time from younger sister Joanne, 17, who is training to become a nursery nurse.

And friends of the family have rallied to organise a fund raising charity night in aid of Paul and his family, mum and dad Ian and Anne, and second sister Rachael, 11, on April 9 at 7pm in the Leigh Royal British Legion Club, Windermere Road, Leigh.

Family friend of 20 years, Ann Anderton, said: "The family never moan or complain.

"Paul is a really lovely lad and deserves better than this. We thought if we could raise some money for the family it would help him when he gets better."

Neighbour Shirley Penkywicz and Mavis Dean are playing a big part in the organisation.

After he was first diagnosed Paul, a former pupil at Bedford High and Wigan College, had months of chemotherapy which was followed up with his own stem cell transplant in February 1997.

His illness went into remission, but last October it came back with a vengeance, and he has once again been undergoing high dose chemo to prepare him for his next transplant.

Dad, Ian, of Eastwood Grove, Leigh, said: "I used to help with fund raising events with Leigh East and Leigh Juniors for a few years and I think members there wished to return the compliment.

"I'd like to thank them in advance. Paul has been so poorly this time. We can only hope he will get fit enough to face the new operation within the next few weeks.

"His sisters are looking after him well. In fact we're trying to get his bell away from him at the moment. He has us waiting on him hand and foot."

Pictured: Sisterly love - transplant donor Joanne and Rachael with Paul.

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