A Waverton girl who has survived cancer has launched a charity appeal.

Anya Bentham, five, was signed up by Solving Kids’ Cancer to launch the Be a Bucketeer campaign.

The charity aims to double the number of its bucketeers throughout the UK and Ireland to raise vital funds and help children like Anya beat neuroblastoma.

Anya was just 19-months-old when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma in October 2012.

Following months of gruelling treatment, Anya was given the all-clear from the disease but doctors warned the fight was not over, as relapse rates in children were very high.

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Parents Graeme and Naomi then made the difficult decision to sign their daughter up for a pioneering drug trial in America to help stop the neuroblastoma returning.

Twelve months into the trial, Anya was cancer free and was able to start school with her peers in September last year.

Anya Bentham, four, starts school for the first time

Anya’s mum Naomi said: “Anya has been with us to Solving Kids’ Cancer’s conferences and family fun days over the years and has made some good friends at the charity. We’re delighted to be supporting the launch of the bucketeer campaign.”

Being a bucketeer means holding your own collection at a local venue such as a supermarket, shopping mall or local club - or you could take a bucket into work. You can do as many or as few collections as you like.

Head of development at Solving Kids’ Cancer Claire Hislop said: “We have a wonderful team of 20 bucketeers around the country who tell us they have great fun when they fundraise. They meet lots of new people and feel they’ve done something worthwhile which is very rewarding.”

To register as a bucketeer just visit http://solvingkidscancer.org.uk/hold-a-bucket-collection/ . The charity will be in touch to provide all the support and materials you need.