PRESTWICH Olympic medal hopeful Adrian Turner has promised to do his best to fulfil the wish of his little pal, Beth Morris.

Brave Beth (8), who has battled leukaemia, has asked Adrian to bring back a medal from Athens, just for her!

Adrian's mum, Joyce, said: "Beth is Adrian's inspiration at the moment. She made him a beautiful good luck card and wrote him a poem. The card is 2ft wide, which I think he managed to fit in his suitcase, and at the end of the poem, Beth writes: 'Bring a medal back, but bring it back for me'."

The 27-year-old swimmer met Beth, of Hollow Meadow, Ringley, through the National Blood Service after he was struck down with a life-threatening blood disease in 1999. Now they are best buddies.

The former Parrenthorn High School pupil was diagnosed with an infection called auto immune haemolytic anaemia and needed repeated blood transfusions.

Thanks to the National Blood Service, which always needs new donors, Adrian was able to bounce back to full fitness in time for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, where he won two medals. But his illness cost him a place at the Sydney Olympics four years ago.

His debut Olympic performance in Athens was on Saturday when he finished sixth in the 400m medley, then he will compete in the 200m medley on Wednesday.

Joyce, who runs Rainsough Filling Station in Hilton Lane with husband Roger, said the whole family was looking forward to Adrian's races, but said her son's Olympic dream was tinged with disappointment due to swimming commitments in England.

She said: "Within 48 hours of the finals, Adrian and the whole British swimming team have to return to compete in the British Short Course competition in Stockport. If they wish to return to Athens for the closing ceremony they have to pay for themselves.

"At first everyone was upset and cross, but then they accepted it was something they had to do. Personally, feel it is unnecessary to come back so soon, when the British competition could have been organised for a week later."

Despite the upheaval, Adrian will return to Athens thanks to support from his club, Stockport Swimming Club, and will be cheering on his brother-in-law James Cracknell in the men's coxless fours.

James is married to Adrian's sister Beverley, a sports presenter, and has a good chance of winning a gold medal.

Joyce said: "Adrian is ranked about 12th in the world but he is very positive. He didn't expect a medal at the Commonwealth Games when he was ranked 9th, so you never know. He can usually rise to the occasion!"