A SCUNTHORPE couple are hoping to raise lots of cash for a children's hospital as a thank you for curing their granddaughters leukaemia.

Alan, 48, and Elizabeth McClurey, 39, of Merlin Road, are putting their heart and soul into a fishing competition to raise money for the Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Mr McClurey said: "Our granddaughter Rhianna was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia in January 2009.

"Doctors gave her four weeks to live."

Mr McClurey said: "It was heart-wrenching. None of us knew where to turn."

Rhianna was kept in Sheffield Children's Hospital for five-and- a-half months while tests were carried out and she was diagnosed with leukaemia of the blood.

Her granddad said: "She was given stem cell treatment from a little boy's afterbirth in America.

"They had to lower her immune system, put the stem cells into her system and then reintroduce her own immune system to start the procedure off.

"As they did this, the new stem cells attacked the old ones. There is only a 50 per cent chance it will work."

With a big beaming smile, Mr McClurey said: "This week, Rhianna was given the all-clear.

"We are all over the moon. The first thing we did was rush over to take her out for lunch and bought her a new bike.

"She is such a character and really fought through. She has been ever so brave. You would not think to look at her that anything was wrong with her."

For more details about the fishing match or to book your place call Mr McCklurey on 07507843245 or e-mail him at f1shuie@hotmail.com

For more on this story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.