SHE spent the first six months of her baby’s life in hospital fighting leukaemia convinced she had a death sentence hanging over her.

But following extensive treatment, Wimborne mother of three Natasha Jones, now 35, was finally given the all clear in 2011.

The care she received on the Durlston ward at Poole Hospital, inspired Natasha to start her own charity LEAF – Leukaemia Educating and Fundraising – which she launched from her hospital bed in 2006.

“It was my way of repaying what they gave me,” she says.

“I’d felt so isolated on the ward and I thought that if someone who’d survived had come to see me, it would have given me so much hope. I always felt I should give something back.”

And so she has. For Leaf has gone from strength to strength and has become a full-time job for Natasha.

“Seven years ago I didn’t think I would even be alive now let alone doing this. It might sound corny but this is my passion – it’s more than a job. It’s not like going to work,” she explains.

Leaf now has a base at Pamphill farm near Wimborne.

“It was important to have an office because Leaf was taking over my home – there was no escaping it!

“We also needed some space and somewhere patients could drop in and see us. We are helping children as well as adults now,” adds Natasha.

“I’d heard that gentle exercise is an important part of a patient’s recovery so we are lucky because the farmer has donated some land where they can do a bit of gardening and grow fruit and vegetables.”

Leaf’s next big project for 2013 is the launch of two new choirs run by local music teacher Sheila Woodruff.

Sheila started a Leaf youth choir last November which performed its first concert last December. Now she is launching two more choirs for juniors and adults.

“It is an exciting time for us,” says Sheila who joined Leaf in September.

“Everything seems to have snowballed.

“After the youth choir performed at Merley House at Christmas we have been asked to perform at a number of other events like weddings and fairs.

“I really enjoy working for Leaf. No day is ever the same and it’s good to feel you are making a difference.”

Natasha, who lives in Wimborne with her husband and three boys, loves listening to the choir.

“It makes me feel quite emotional when I hear them – it makes me realise how far we’ve come over the past seven years.”

Leaf has raised thousands of pounds and helped many local families since its launch.

“We try to tailor our support to the individual,” Natasha explains.

“We find out what it is they need – it could be a gym membership, a holiday or someone to help with the cooking, cleaning or even walking the dog. To see the relief on people’s faces is a joy to see and makes it all worthwhile.”

But Natasha adds: “We are finding that in the present climate it is much harder to fundraise. I guess it’s a sign of the times. We’re lucky to have the support of the local community but hope everyone will keep behind us this year because we don’t have any government grants – we totally rely on donations which is why the Leaf choirs are so important.”