A SCHOOLGIRL suffering from cancer was initially told it was merely growing pains.

When Sophie Huntingdon, 14, saw a doctor in October last year after suffering from aches in her knees, she was told the discomfort was down to her development.

But when the pain became so intense that she could barely walk, her family took her to a nearby health centre.

She was then referred to Sunderland Royal Hospital, where doctors transferred her to specialists at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), in Newcastle.

Sophie, who lives near Sunderland, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and is undergoing treatment.

Her mother, Denise, 44, said: “We did go to the doctor, who said it was growing pains.

That was three months before December and we took her back to see someone after Boxing Day because she could not walk because of the pain.

It was a massive shock.

“She was diagnosed on December 27 and began her treatment on the 28th.”

Sophie is expected to continue her chemotherapy until November.

Her mother said: “Depending on what type of treatment she has, it can really take it out of her and she can be very poorly.

“But the staff at the RVI have been fantastic – they let us know exactly what is happening all the time.”

Sixteen members of South Hetton Cricket Club spent the weekend cycling from Hull back to their clubhouse to raise money to help Sophie travel to and from hospital.