A teenage cancer patient from Pembroke Dock has become Pembrokeshire’s ambassador for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Thirteen-year-old Lauren George is urging girls and women to support the charity’s nationwide campaign by taking part in the five kilometre walk or run.

Lauren, a year eight pupil at Pembroke School, was diagnosed with leukaemia in November 2005, when she was only nine.

She battled tough chemotherapy treatment and endured periods of illness, suffering pneumonia, shingles and a number of infections.

In a true display of courage Lauren is now back in school and helping to raise money for the sake of fellow cancer sufferers.

Lauren’s mum Tracy said: “Lauren’s just taken everything that’s been thrown at her, throughout her treatment she has just got on with it without fuss.”

On Saturday, May 10th, at Scolton Manor, she will make her own contribution to the Race for Life, along with mum Tracy, sister Nicola, aunt Alison and grandmother Pamela George, who is deputy mayor of Pembroke Dock.

Lauren took part in the Race for Life in 2007, when she completed the distance, despite being wheelchair-bound, and even managing to walk a portion of the way.

In the past, Lauren also raised £7,000 for LATCH, the Welsh children’s cancer charity through a sponsored walk.

Lauren registered her bid to raise money for Race for Life at the official regional launch last Wednesday.

She was met by area events co-ordinators Kelly Rumble, who described Lauren as “inspirational to all sufferers of the disease’’ and Melanie Newton, who said she would be proud to see Lauren at the race. Lauren’s Race for Life will be one of at least 230 events held nationwide by Cancer Research UK, aiming to raise £60million.