A MAN who battled back from leukaemia twice as a child wants to raise money for the hospital which helped him.

Jason Smith, now 26, from Canvey, was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was six.

After going through chemotherapy he thought he was in the clear when he was eight, but relapsed.

His second, stronger bout of treatment went on until he was 14. He has been in remission for 12 years.

Now, Mr Smith hopes to produce a colouring book that can be sold to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, as a thank you to the doctors and nurses who look after him.

Mr Smith, a freelance character designer and illustrator who is also a graphic designer at Tipper Signs in Rochford, said he had always wanted to give something back to the hospital.

He said: “I have wanted to do something for years for Great Ormond Street, and I thought I had better go for it.

“I think the book will appeal to youngsters, aged between three and maybe 14.

“My mum and dad always tried to push me into drawing when I was ill, as they said it would distract me and keep my mind occupied.”

He said he would also like to give some copies of the book away to sick children.

The project will not just include Mr Smith’s artwork – artists from America and beyond have looked at his website outlining the idea and sent him sketches to include.

He said: “There was a basic design brief that drawings had to involve animal and human interaction.

“I got 30 outlines sent to me in time for the deadline, and now I want to get them all printed and bound.”

Mr Smith is looking for support from a local printing business to help him. He hopes to get the books printed as soon as possible, and he is planning a launch night at St Nicholas Church in Long Road, Canvey, for September.

Visit www.ohgoshproject.com to find out more or contact Mr Smith at jason_smith84@ hotmail.co.uk