A TEENAGER battling cancer for the third time will open a charity race he once hoped to take part in after securing celebrity backing for the event through Twitter.
Joe Smale, 13, of Bedford Close, was re-Tweeted by a host of stars including Eddie Izzard, Simon Cowell and Pete Andre when he used the social networking tool to promote a 26-mile bike ride that he hoped to tackle from his own living room.
He was due to replicate the London Bikeathon for charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, which takes place on Sunday (26).
However at the end of last week his doctor said he would not be well enough to take on the challenge, so instead he will now open the race at the weekend with Jason Flemyng who starred in X-Men and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Joe was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when he was just two years old. After three years of intensive treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, he went into remission, but four years later the cancer returned. He fought it off again, but relapsed a second time this year just after Christmas.
He was planning to do his bit in the capital's biggest charity bike ride, by covering the distance on an exercise bike in his living room, despite having recently undergone a bone-marrow transplant.
Since his latest setback he now hopes to reschedule his bike ride, and complete the distance in August.
Joe created a moving video campaign to get sponsorship, which was posted to Youtube and circulated on the internet, being retweeted by his famous new supporters.
In the video he talks about his battle with cancer, saying "I will dedicate my ride to those kids who didn't make it."
Other celebs and public figures to feature his video on their Twitter feed are Alistair Campbell, Jason Flemyng, and Roger Daltrey.
He said: "I'm really looking forward to opening the London Bikeathon this year. It's a great honour to be asked as it's usually someone famous who does it.
"I'm so glad I can go along with my family, especially after spending so much time in hospital. It's always a great day, whatever the weather. I'm going to complete my own 26 mile ride in a few weeks' time, as soon as the doctors give me the go ahead."
His father Tim Smale said: "Joe is an amazing inspiration to us all, heÕs so positive about his treatment.
"JoeÕs YouTube clip and JustGiving page have given him loads of focus and motivation, which has a positive effect on all of us."
The Smale family, which also includes his mother Debbie and little sister Holly, are dedicated fund-raisers for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, raising more than £30,000 for the charity to date
As a group they have taken part in the London Bikeathon eight times in the past 10 years.
To sponsor Joe visit www.justgiving.com/joe-smale and to see his video appeal, search on Youtbe for the channel 'joesbikathon'
