A GROUP of dedicated fundraisers has celebrated their third birthday in style.

The Blackburn Friends of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust reached their staggering £50,000 target - and vowed to keep up the good work.

Formed by the family of young leukaemia sufferer Glenn Challenger from Blackburn, the Friends have put the fun back into fund-raising with countless events to raise money for the Trust.

And Glenn's mum Sharron Challenger heaped praise on the Citizen for helping the cause.

"We could not have done it without the help of the Citizen," revealed Sharron. "The coverage of Glenn's story has kept our fundraising in the limelight. The support from people in Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn has been overwhelming. I never expected such a response."

After their annual general meeting at the Mill Hill Hotel in Blackburn, the Friends welcomed guest of honour Glenn to a special birthday party.

The Citizen's coverage helped find a suitable bone marrow donor for the plucky four-year-old who is currently enjoying life at St Peter's School in Blackburn.

"He's doing really well," added Sharron. "He's running everywhere and loves games at school. He's doing things he could never do before. He knows he's had a transplant but he doesn't really understand why."

Glenn's aunt Hilary Ashcroft, who helped organise the celebration, said: "We've got to keep up the fundraising to help other kids like Glenn. There have been a lot of highs and lows but I know people won't stop wanting to help."

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