THE family of little Libby O’Brien plan to take on the Three Peaks Challenge for the hospital which cared for her during her battle against cancer.

Libby O’Brien, now two, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 16 months old.

Parents Dave and Pip, who live in Hamilton Street, Hoole, and their friends Mike and Julie Williams, from Great Boughton, aim to climb Scafell Pike in England, Snowdon in Wales and Ben Nevis in Scotland in 24 hours to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Libby became ill in April last year.

Dave said: “We took her to the Countess of Chester because she was feeling poorly. We knew she was unwell but didn’t think it would be something like cancer.

“We were terribly shocked when they said she had a tumour. They told us they had to operate straight away and she was taken to Alder Hey immediately. It was horrendous.”

Libby was diagnosed with a rare children’s bone cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma. The cancer originated in her skull and had formed a large tumour in her brain. Not only is the cancer itself rare but its position and Libby’s age made it out of the ordinary.

Dave added: “It was quite a large tumour that had come from the bone, her skull, and was on the right hand side of her head.”

Libby had to undergo an immediate operation, followed by 14 cycles of chemotherapy.

Dave said: “The first six weeks the family all stayed at Alder Hey. For the last 12 months she has been in and out of Alder Hey and the Countess. She had her final session of chemotherapy just over a week ago.”

“She has been doing really well, she is just like a normal little two-year-old but not, I suppose. She is a little fighter.

“The staff at both Alder Hey and the Countess were fantastic, particularly Alder Hey, that’s why Pip and I decided to do this challenge.”

The four of them will undertake the challenge on July 2. Dave and Pip will be driving and Julie and Mike will be doing the walking.

Dave added: “Our initial target was £1,000, but we are nearly there so we are going to extend it, and just see how much we can raise. We just really want to show our appreciation for what the hospital has done for us.”

To sponsor the team, go to www.justgiving.com/imagine3peakschallenge.