TIME IS running out to take vital steps towards eradicating a devastating disease that targets thousands of youngsters every year.

There is just over a week to register for this year’s Purbeck Odyssey, which is back by popular demand and a great way for Southamptonbased Leukaemia Busters to continue to fund its mission to find a cure for the disease.

The charity is on the hunt for eager walkers and runners to sign up to the breathtaking trip, which promises to be a walk to remember this Saturday.

The specially organised series of sponsored walks along the hills, ridges and coastline of Dorset take in some of the county’s most spectacular panoramic views.

This is a chance to experience a great day out and enjoy some of the finest and most dramatic scenery that the British Isles has to offer – and raise funds for Leukaemia Busters at the same time.

The charity was founded in 1989 at Southampton General Hospital after Simon Flavell died at the age of ten from childhood leukaemia.

Simon was the son of doctors David and Bee Flavell, who had been carrying out research and making antib o d i e s against leukaemia cells in their laboratories at the hospital prior to Simon’s diagnosis.

Since then their research has achieved major breakthroughs in the treatment of the killer disease and they hope that, with more funds, they will one day be able to find a cure.

Dr David Flavell said: “Research is the single word that describes the reason for the great progress that has been made by modern medicine in recent decades.

“Research is what has provided cures for diseases that killed people in their tens of thousands or even millions not so long ago and it will be research that finally solves the problem of leukaemia in both children and adults.

“We are already more than half way there with many adults and over three quarters of children cured by today’s available treatments.

But we can do much better than this and the cutting edge research being conducted by Leukaemia Busters scientists aims to provide safer and yet more effective cures for every patient with leukaemia, young and old alike.”

Walkers can choose from a variety of walks between four and 30 miles. All start at the Norden Park and Ride, Corfe Castle.

To register for the walk call 023 8077 5590 or email contact@ leukaemiabusters.org.uk.