Ref. 71910-19WHEN Zoe Rhodes-Taylor lost her childhood battle with leukaemia, her sister Esther couldn't think of the right way to thank the nurses who helped her family.

But now, 13 years on, she believes she has found a way to show her gratitude.

Esther, 29, of Walcot, is holding a fundraising day as part of the national Yummy Mummy appeal launched by the CLIC charity, which helps children and their families affected by leukaemia and cancer.

CLIC helped Esther's family as soon as Zoe was diagnosed with the disease, aged 18 months.

Although she had a successful bone marrow transplant in 1990, she later caught an infection and died, aged six, in 1991.

Throughout the illness, Esther, who was 11 when she first discovered her sister had the life-threatening disease, said the CLIC nurses treated her family with great compassion and care.

Each day, five families are told their child has cancer or leukaemia.

CLIC steps in to help keep families together when the diagnosis is made.

The charity provides Homes From Home, where families can stay for free in self-catered accommodation close to the hospital where the patient is being treated.

Thanks to the charity, Esther's family were all able to spend Zoe's last Christmas together at a home in Bristol, something Esther is very grateful for.

Esther, now a mother-of-three, remembers how her sister's fight against leukaemia traumatised the whole family.

They lived in Moredon at the time.

"Obviously, it was a very difficult time for the whole family," she said.

"CLIC was so supportive, the nurses were so good to us

"They offered help and support, not just to my parents but to my brothers and sister too. They were wonderful.

"We all had to go for blood tests to see if we were a match for Zoe and the nurses worked so hard to relax and reassure us.

"Zoe was such a bubbly, outgoing girl who carried on smiling even when she was in pain.

"Now it seems this is the right thing to do."

Esther is inviting local people and businesses to get involved in the CLIC's Yummy Mummy appeal fundraising day.

It will be held at the Manor Cabinet Company in Kelvin Road, Greenbridge, throughout the morning on Friday, September 17.

There will be a variety of stalls, including one to name a teddy bear.

There will also be a raffle with a range of prizes.

The appeal was born when the Countess of Wessex attended a Yummy Mummy lunch, which raised £63,000 for the charity.

It is now hoping to raise another £50,000 nationwide through mothers holding a series of fundraising days.

To make a donation to Esther's fundraising day, call her on 01793 423314.

If you would like to set up your own CLIC fundraising day call 0845 201 0290 or email yummymummy@clic.org.uk

Emma-Kate lidbury