BETHANY Robinson is living proof of the importance of cancer research.

The smiling youngster, from Moredon, owes her life to the skill of staff at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital who treated her for a rare form of cancer.

And yesterday Bethany, who will celebrate her third birthday next month, was at the Cancer Research Shop in Swindon to help launch the charity's Children's Cancer Awareness Month.

When Bethany was just 12-weeks-old, her parents Tracey, 33, and Steve, 39, were worried when they saw her suffer convulsions.

Staff at Princess Margaret Hospital discovered a three-inch lump on her abdomen.

She was referred to the John Radcliffe Hospital, where surgeons were able to remove the tumour that had been pressing on other organs and causing pain. It was an extremely rare form of the disease called neuroblastoma.

Since her surgery, subsequent scans have shown that she has beaten the cancer one of the 100,000 people who are successfully treated for cancer each year thanks to research carried out by groups such as the Cancer Research Campaign.

Now Bethany has more than her fair share of responsibility.

As well as being the patron of the Cancer Research Campaign in the area, she also has the huge responsibility of acting as the ears for her parents who are both completely deaf after suffering measles in childhood.

Bethany's mum, Tracy, said: "I am extremely proud of her as my little girl and as an ambassador for cancer research.

"She is getting more people to know about cancer research and how donations can help other people with cancer live a better quality of life like she does now.

"The more money raised means there is more chance of beating it once and for all."

Caroline Thomas, spokes-woman for Wales and South West Cancer Research, said: "Bethany is an excellent ambassador for the Cancer Research Campaign because she is such a happy and healthy child and living proof of the importance of research."

At the Cancer Research Campaign Shop, in Havelock Street, Swindon, Oliver Tomkins Junior School pupils have created a Christ-mas Pudding themed window. design as part of a competition to highlight the campaign. Other Cancer Research shops in the county have also asked school children to decorate their windows and the winning design will be announced before Christmas.

The Cancer Research Campaign can be contacted on 0800 226237.