THE family of cancer victim Emma Harrison have raised £5,500 for the hospital that tried to save her.

Almost 200 people took part in the Gregg's Charity Run in May as a tribute to the 12-year-old, who was known as "Smiler" because of her sunny personality.

Her mother, Alison, had been hoping to raise £5,000, which will be donated to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury, where Emma was treated, and is delighted the team smashed their target.

Everyone taking part in memory of Emma, who lost her fight for life on New Year's Eve, 2004, wore yellow T-shirts.

Mrs Harrison said: "It was a fantastic day and the support we had was just wonderful.

"I'm not a natural runner, but it was really inspirational to see all the yellow T-shirts as I crossed the finish line.

"It's always a very emotional day because everyone who runs it with us refers to it as Emma's Run', but the atmosphere was brilliant."

Emma, of Neath Fold, Great Lever, was diagnosed with a brain tumour after complaining of a series of minor headaches, which developed into sickness and double vision.

She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital in September, 2004, where she was found to be suffering from a brain tumour.

Emma, a pupil at Mount St Joseph's High School, Farnworth, was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital immediately after her diagnosis.

In the first seven weeks of her treatment, she underwent seven operations.

She started her chemotherapy in the November and had seven sessions before the treatment was abandoned.

Despite being allowed home on Christmas Eve, Emma had to return to hospital on Christmas Day.

She suffered a stroke, and on New Year's Eve, a scan revealed her tumour had grown. Emma died later that day.

A total of 1,400 people took part in the Gregg's run, which took place in Heaton Park, and £33,000 was raised.