THE family of a North-East youngster who died of cancer shortly before Christmas is launching a charity campaign on what would have been her fifth birthday.

For almost two years, Katie-Leigh Tones repeatedly amazed doctors by battling against the disease.

Sadly, on December 14, last year, she lost her brave fight.

Katie, of Ennerdale Drive, Crook, County Durham, was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma, the most common form of cancer in children, when she was two.

The plucky youngster had chemotherapy at Newcastle RVI Hospital and in November 2001 the family thought she had beaten the disease when she was told she was clear of tumours.

But last summer her parents, Michelle and Lee Tones, were told that it had returned and despite further intense treatment, she was unable to beat it.

Today, when Katie would have celebrated turning five, her family starts a cash crusade to support other families fighting childhood cancer.

Her grandmother, Brenda Coote, of Crook, has arranged a fundraising event tonight at Willington Workingmen's Club in aid of Macmillan paediatric nurses based at Newcastle RVI.

Mrs Tones, 25, and her 28-year-old husband, who have a seven-year-old son, Jordan, hope to arrange similar events in aid of the nurses who helped them through two spells of treatment.

"We want to give something back to the people who helped us," said Mrs Tones.

"The nurses visited us at home regularly, especially towards the end, and their support was a big help," said Mr Tones.

Mrs Tones added: "They kept Katie's spirits up. We want other families to benefit from their help and hope to raise as much money as possible towards their work."

Katie's brave battle gave her the time to fulfil a dream to meet singer Gareth Gates at Newcastle Telewest Arena last summer, a meeting arranged by The Northern Echo.

Mrs Tones said: "She had an absolutely wonderful night when she met Gareth, Will Young and Zoe Birkett, and they all made a real fuss over her and Jordan.

"Friends, family, colleagues at Focus in Bishop Auckland and other local businesses helped us visit Disneyland and cram as much fun into her life as possible."