Nothing short of a miracle is how dad Chris Shelley describes the recovery of four-year-old Niamh from a highly aggressive strain of leukaemia.

Niamh, a pupil at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Broadstairs, is the inspiration for mum Sarah signing up for the Kent Charity Challenge abseil at Screaming Alley, Ramsgate, on Saturday, December 6

The Shelley family, of Gladstone Road, Broadstairs, including Niamh’s siblings James, 17, Matthew, 16, Joseph, 10, Callan , six and Dillon, 19 months were hugely helped, comforted and informed through a truly dreadful time by CLIC Sargent.

They feel indebted for the support they received from the charity,in hospital and at home, and are committed to putting something back into its coffers.

Normal family life was turned upside down when Niamh was diagnosed at 14 months. It started as a day on the beach when the toddler showed flu-like symptoms.

The initial prognosis that it was a summer cold did not satisfy Mrs Shelley, 42, a psychiatric nurse.

Within days, Niamh was being cared for in intensive care at St George’s Brompton Hospital and at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Her diagnosis was alarming. Not only she did have a less common type of leukaemia, it was also the most potent.

Chemotherapy would not cure Niamh, it would only provided temporary remission. Her only hope lay in a bone marrow transplant.

A national and international request for the right match was put out through the Anthony Nolan Trust and a suitable donor was found although there was a delay before Niamh was well enough for the transplant.

Mr Shelley said: “It is nothing short of a miracle that Niamh has come through. She is doing brilliantly.”

Money raised at the West Cliff abseil will be split 70/30 between CLIC Sargent and the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group which is involved inorganising the event.

The top fundraiser will win an overnight stay with dinner, bed and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express at Minster and the abseiler with the best fancy dress will win a meal for two at the Lookout Cafe at the site of the abseil.

Maybe your life has been touched by childhood cancer or leukaemia? Why not sign up for the event? Minimum sponsorship of £75 is all that is needed.

Click on the pink CLIC Sargent Abseil Event logo on the right to find out more or sign up for the event