Young Roxanne Pinfold hasn't let leukaemia get her down, writes Phil Clee.

Despite battling against the illness for almost two years, she's determined to lead as full a life as possible.

The feisty five-year-old from Headington saddles up and goes riding most weekends, usually with her best chum, Amber Francis.

The pals also put their best feet forward in weekly tap sessions at the Kirsty Forbes School of Dance in Jack Straw's Lane, Oxford.

And Roxanne will show off her dancing skills when she stars in a pantomime at Headington Community Centre on Friday and Saturday.

Roxanne, who suffers from an acute form of the disease, has also managed to keep her schooling up to scratch - missing only eight or nine weeks during her first year at Windmill First School because of her chemotherapy. Her resilience during the dark days and months has helped to boost the spirits of parents, Clive and Nuria. Mrs Pinfold, 35, said: "She has been a real trooper, and it would have been worse for us if she hadn't been like that.

"It's been hell, but she's coped brilliantly and never once grumbled."

Roxanne's battle has been recognised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is giving her Easter trip to Disneyland Paris. On Saturday she was invited to Debenham's in Oxford to accept a cheque for £687 raised by staff on the charity's behalf.

Make-a-Wish representative Jayne Watson said the charity hoped the April holiday would be a combined birthday treat for both Roxanne - who will be six on April 20 - and her brother, William, who will be three next month.

She praised Debenham's managers and staff for the support they had given.

"We were having a fundraising fashion show which had to be cancelled at 48 hours' notice, and they stepped in and told us to help ourselves to any clothes we wanted," she said. "Then this Christmas they chose us as their charity, which was wonderful. They really have been fantastic."

Roxanne's main chemotherapy is completed, but she still has 24 weeks of back-up treatment ahead.

"It's been pretty horrendous, but she smiles all the way through," Mrs Pinfold said.

Story date: Monday 14 February

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