A BARNSLEY College student is planning a charity walk to raise money for a hospital that helped save his life.

Eduard Cristea, who had Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia as a child, successfully completed an eight-mile walk earlier this year for Blood Cancer UK and will embark on his latest fundraising venture in the new year.

Eduard said: “As a child, I fought Leukaemia. It was a fight I could not have won alone. But was thanks to the unwavering care, dedication, and expertise of the doctors and nurses at San Matteo Hospital in Pavia, Italy.

“I owe my life to them, to the team who did more than treat me – they gave me hope when hope seemed lost. Their support is why I’m here, standing before you now, ready to give back.

“I am originally Romanian and i had to travel from Romania to Italy for this treatment. I am now 11 years free of Leukaemia. I am one of the lucky ones.

“This is why i spend my time fundraising to help other people the way they have helped me. A couple of months ago I created my first ever fundraiser. An eight-mile walk from Goldthorpe to Barnsley – I raised £250 for the charity Blood Cancer UK. I promised myself if that fundraiser went well I would do an even bigger one. And here i am today!

“I have started a fundraiser for Gli Amici del Sorriso (also nicknamed 'Friends of the 4th floor') – this team has supported me through every step of the way and I simply couldn't have done it without them. So, now in order to pay it back I’m doing a 17-mile walk from Goldthorpe to Wakefield aiming to raise £500+ (approx 600 euros) for other children in the care of the team.

“Please join me in this mission. Help me, help them.

“The money you give could help children in Italy receive the help they need. The money could be given to help research the new 'CAR-T' treatment which can treat children against LeukAemia and other cancers. The money can be given to raise funding for the association to provide children with more and more things. Toys, activities, trips, food, and more… The money given can help put funding into hospital equipment.”

You can donate here: https://gofund.me/40e12345

Pictured: Eduard as a child when he was undergoing treatment.