BONNY Sky Holness is the picture of health as she ducks and dives as the only girl in a muddy rugby field amongst hoards of fledgling boy players.

It is hard to imagine that not even three years ago she was developing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a grave and frightening threat to her life.

Sky, six, mum Kelly, dad James, brother Regan and their extended families have been through a horrendous journey in between.

It has been governed by an intense programme of chemotherapy, medical attention and care, which often left Sky extremely poorly.

Wonderfully, she has bounced back and was given the all clear this summer.

Gratitude for their little girl's recovery and to CLIC Sargent is the reason her family are wholeheartedly supporting the Kent Charity Challenge abseil at Screaming Alley, Ramsgate, on December 6.

Their extremely positive experiences of the charity have helped them come through the nightmare of Sky's illness.

Mrs Holness, from Whitstable, says they have a lifelong commitment to CLIC Sargent.

Her mum Heather Austin and brother Liam will be among the West Cliff abseilers. The rest of the family are urging as many people as possible to sign up for the event or at least to sponsor someone else.

They are hoping to instigate an abseiling team from Whitstable Rugby Club where Westmeads Infants School pupil Sky trains and her grandma Mrs Austin will be collecting sponsors in Whitstable butchers G H Theobald which she runs with husband Brian.

Mrs Austin was top fundraiser at a previous Kent Charity Challenge abseil at White Friars two years ago, raising £750 and the family have organised other events for CLIC Sargent including two cricket events, between them netting £2,400.

The charity's community nurses administered chemotherapy to Sky at home and even at school, ensuring there was minimal disruption to her and the life of her family.

They also initially provided some financial support as family routine and work was thrown into turmoil, punctuated by constant hospital visits to London's Great Ormond Street and Margate's Queen Elizabeth Mother hospitals.

Mrs Holness said the charity was of immeasurable value to the whole family, providing emotional as well as practical support, information and contact with others going through something similar.

She said: "If we had not been emotionally strong, how would Sky have been able to get better. They provided so much help and were so friendly and lovely."

Her husband said: "CLIC Sargent have been there for us all the way, even now they are still in contact with us. The nurses help keep some form of normality in your own home at a very difficult time."

Mrs Holness found a great deal of comfort on the charity's website www.clicsargent.org.uk

She wrote a blog there and chatted online to other parents in similar situations.

Mrs Holness said: "You always think something like your child getting leukaemia will never happen to you but when it does you then realise just how important a charity like CLIC Sargent really is.

"They have provided a whole package of support and care from the beginning right through to the end and we are still in touch with them.

"We will always support CLIC Sargent, it is going to be forever because of what they have done for Sky and us as a family.

"Without them, I don't think Sky would be here today."

The Ramsgate abseil is being supported by the Thanet Extra and the KM Group. Seventy per cent of proceeds will go to CLIC Sargent with 30 per cent going to the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group.

So, don't delay, sign up now by filling in and sending off the form or for more details contact Janine Terrana at jterrana@kmcharity challenge.co.uk or visit www.kmcharitychallenge.co.uk