FOR ANYONE who has endured a serious illness of their only child, the trauma of that time can be too horrific to dwell on, but for Kathy Lovell from Metherell, in one way it proved an inspiration.

Kathy's daughter Bryony was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of eight and went through an extensive and invasive range of treatment to beat the disease.

During this difficult and confusing period her constant request was to identify with other children who had been in a similar situation.

Kathy and Bryony discovered there was such a limited supply of books aimed at young people which would be both factual and inspiring, that Kathy decided to write her own.

Drawing inspiration from her love of the Westcountry coastline and the positive experiences the family received from the medical profession, the book is a mysterious tale of friendship and a bond between a boy and a grey seal. The young boy Jake suffers from leukaemia and subsequent adventures make him a hero — despite his illness.

As a first time author Kathy admitted it proved to be a challenging process: 'Writing was probably the most straightforward part of producing Under the Fountain,' she said.

'Meriting an endorsement from CLIC-Sargent for Children with Cancer and actually publishing a book has required a lot more patience and organisation that I expected.'

Her main aim has been to write a story which gives a factual account of the treatment of the disease, while at the same time providing children with leukaemia with an imaginative means of escape and promoting a positive self image.

All the profits from Under the Fountain will go to CLIC-Sargent.

Kathy, who has already written a second book in the same vein, said: 'Bryony just wanted to be like other kids and when she was told she would probably lose her hair she wanted to meet someone else who had.

'She also had a longline inserted, which doctors use to give children their medication. It involves a small operation and she wanted to meet someone who had one.'

Bryony received intensive treatment over a two-year period after she was diagnosed, and spent frequent spells in Bristol Children's Hospital.

Her mother said fortunately, Bryony was a child with a good imagination and she would play quietly in the hospital for hours with her toys, especially her horses.

It's her love of horses — she now works for an equine vet and has competed twice at the Horse of the Year Show — that helped her through her treatment, said Kathy.

Bryony is now a fit and healthy 22-year-old and was given the all clear from leukaemia six years ago.

Under the Fountain is priced at £5.99 and can be purchased at Book Stop in Tavistock.

Kathy Lovell will be signing copies of her book at Bookstop on Friday, March 4 from 10.30am.