It costs £30,000 a year for a Clic (Challenging Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia) nurse. But if you speak to the families who rely on them you can understand why every penny is vital. Of 32 Clic nurses nationwide, Oxfordshire has two.

Lesley Manning works in the Radcliffe Infirmary's Leopald Ward in the neuro-oncology department, mainly for youngsters up to 18 with neck and brain tumours.

She is a stepping stone between home and hospital. Not only does she talk and play with the kids on the ward, but she also visits them at home.

Because surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy occur in three different hospitals in Oxford, she discusses the options with the parents, listens to their worries, helps organise their accommodation and transport, and translates medical jargon.

She said: "It's a difficult transition from hospital. There, your child is completely looked after but you may not understand what's going on. At home, you're on your own and may feel unable to cope."

She is also there at the initial diagnosis and the outpatient appointments, so there is always a friendly face around.

But how does she cope personally when Clic research shows that kids with brain tumours only have a 50 per cent chance?

"There are moments of great sadness of course, but there are also ones of great happiness." And when Lesley escapes home to her husband and two children she tries not to think about her work. "My kids are my tonic," she said. "I give everything to my job and work very hard.

"I know I can't do any better and to me that's enough."

Ben McHugh's mum Rosie couldn't have coped without Lesley. The ten-year-old has a brain tumour which is currently being treated.

Rosie said: "Lesley is there for you all the time and knows the ins and outs of everything. Other nurses are rushed off their feet so don't have much time to talk, but Lesley always makes time.

"She has come to our home several times to explain what to do and how to cope. And when Ben was first diagnosed the consultant didn't tell us the whole truth, so Lesley helped us understand the real implications. She was the only one I could really talk to." If Ben suddenly develops a headache, Rosie phones Lesley. "We just need advice sometimes and hate to bother a doctor. It may be nothing or it may be serious.

"But because Lesley has worked with kids with cancer for such a long time, we trust her."

Ben is also a big fan. He said Lesley was funny and they played together a lot.

And he added: "Sometimes the doctors talk to me and I don't understand the words they use, but Lesley explains them to me."

Lesley also runs a helpline for the charity Oscar - Offering of Support for Children and their Relatives. It's the first of its kind in the country and deals only with paediatric brain tumours.

"It's for any member of the family and the child," she explained. The helpline number is 01865 224330. Bon appetit! Supermodel Yasmin Le Bon, pictured, and other celebrities will be guests at a charity fashion show in Oxford on September 17.

It is organised by Clic together with fashion boutique Whistles and Le Petit Blanc restaurant.

About 100 guests will view the Whistles autumn/winter collection during a three-course lunch.

Jewellery will be shown by Solange Azagury-Partridge, make-up by The Make-Up Place in Jericho, shoes by Lacy's in the Covered Market and hair by Mahogany in Turl Street.

On the same evening, 200 guests will be invited to join Lucille Lewin, the owner of Whistles, for a glass of wine and canapes at a fashion workshop where she will be putting together outfits from the collection.

Organisers hope to raise at least £10,000. Tickets are now on sale at £55 for the lunch and £25 for the evening. Call 01865 310581.

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