THE story of a Leighton mum's fight to stamp out malaria is being told in a BBC TV documentary to be screened this weekend.

Our World: Malaria, A Mother's Journey tells how Jo Yirrell, of Albany Road, vowed to dedicate her life to eradicating the disease following the death of her beloved son, Harry.

Jo was a VIP guest at the launch of Malaria No More UK in April when she spoke to Prime Minister Gordon Brown and football superstar David Beckham, who both pledged their support.

Looking ahead to the documentary, in a blog posted on the charity's website, Jo said: "I visited Africa for the first time in April with Malaria No More UK and the BBC to make a documentary about my son Harry.

"Harry volunteered in a village school in Ghana three years ago, but a few days after he returned from his trip, he died of malaria. The documentary took me back to the place that Harry loved so much. In his memory, I want to make sure that in the near future Ghana will be malaria free.

"I know this is possible as malaria is an entirely preventable disease. Bed nets are the first essential step in the fight against malaria. They protect people at risk of malaria for up to five years and are affordable and effective.

The 30-minute documentary is being shown on the BBC News Channel at 5.30am, 2.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday and 3.30am and 2.30pm on Sunday.
Jo said: "Making it was an experience that I would repeat again and again.

"It was such a joy, I will never be able to describe it, but hopefully everybody will be able to see the effect it had on me when they see the programme.

"My hope is that the documentary will help inspire others to join me. Please watch it if you can."

>> Jo was guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Leighton-Linslade, where she received a cheque for £1,000 from president Giles Tawell.

The money will be used to buy 200 mosquito nets for an orphanage in the Yilo Krobo district and the nearby
village.