WHEN Grand National hero Mr Bob Champion was given odds on his chances of beating cancer, the dye was cast.

Linking his battle with the disease to the racing world he loves spurred him on to face the ultimate challenge.

He won. And not just the 1981 National.

Twenty years on he was back at his old school in Guisborough and happy to report: "I've just been given the OK for another year. I have been OK for 20 years now and I hope it continues that way."

Mr Champion was at the town's Laurence Jackson school last Friday to tell his inspiring story to pupils and highlight the work of the horse-racing industry.

Ironically, his visit coincided with that week's assembly theme of perseverance.

Head teacher Mr Chris Lord said: "It fitted in perfectly. By overcoming his illness to win the Grand National that helped to promote our message."

Mr Champion had the whole nation on his side when he rode Aldaniti to victory in the famous race.

He had overcome testicular cancer to take part in the steeplechase which was watched by millions of people the world over.

At his old school, he talked about how he came to terms with the cancer and did not let it put him off.

"It had been my ambition to win the Grand National, from being eight or nine years old," he said. "That day in 1981 was exhilarating. I had had cancer the year before and since then it had been my goal to win."

Mr Champion said it was wonderful to be back in Guisborough, where he was born and grew up. Some people still recognised him as he strolled through the town.

"His visit created quite a stir in Guisborough," said deputy head Mr John Downs, who helped arrange the visit.

Mr Champion had horses in his blood. His father, also called Bob, was huntsman for the Cleveland Hunt.

"I have not been back at the school for a long time," he said.

Laurence Jackson - with 1,458 pupils - is twice as big as when Mr Champion was there. And although he received a guided tour, Mr Downs quipped: "Sadly, the bike sheds have gone!"

Mr Champion recalled the help he got from his form teacher, Mr Len McKenzie, who died last year.

"He encouraged me in the way I wanted to go, giving me lots of support," said Mr Champion. "I have been looking forward to returning.

"There is interest in racing but no-one seems to know there are jobs out there in an industry for both boys and girls."

After addressing pupils from years ten and 11, Mr Champion led a session with pupils interested in a career with horses.

For 15-year-old Rachel Willard it was the best thing which could have happened.

"The session with Bob was brilliant," she said, "and has made me even more determined to pursue a career with horses."

From school, Rachel plans to do equine studies at Askham Bryan college near York and then look for a job within the industry.

Now retired from the main racing scene, Mr Champion spends much of his time promoting the Northern racing college at Doncaster, touring schools to get the message across.

The rest of the time he works for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, which has just set up a laboratory to research prostate cancer.

"I told the pupils not to give up on whatever they want to do and I think they got the message," said Mr Champion, who has been awarded an MBE and written a successful autobiography.

Mr Lord said feedback from the students had been positive.

"Everyone thought it went well," he said. "It has been a very positive visit. Bob is an inspiration. He took on a challenge and conquered it."

"Some people do give up on life," said Mr Champion. "Through the cancer, I learned to never give up.

"I always wanted to do well and I had the motivation."

At school, his best sport was the pole vault, followed by cross-country and sprinting.

He won the history prize twice and still has the book he received as a prize.

"I am an advert for determination," he said. "I have always had goals. When I was ill I kept setting myself new targets."

When his cancer was diagnosed, he was told that without treatment he had six to eight months to live. With treatment, his chances were 50-50.

"They were giving me odds so I thought I would give it a crack. If they hadn't done that I think I would have given up," he said.

"Having the cancer pushed me and made me try even harder."

And the future? "To be happy. To get more people into racing and to continue my work with the trust.

"We have raised £9m so far and hopefully we will come up with a cure for prostate cancer on which very little money is currently being spent."

Arriving at the time of the assembly theme of perseverance was pure chance. Mr Champion had hoped to come to the school much earlier.

"But when a colleague rang the careers office to make arrangements they didn't know me!" he said. "So I wasn't on a winner there was I?