Children from across the North East who have shown bravery in the face of serious illness have been recognised at the 2012 Brave Heart Awards.
The awards highlighted the bravery of scores of youngsters who have overcome challenges at a very early age.
The awards ceremony took place at St James’ Park and was presented by TV presenter Carol Malia. Newcastle United players Mike Williamson and Romain Amalfitano presented the awards and all of the winners were given gifts including iPads and Nintendo Wiis.
Jessica Easton from Ponteland, Northumberland was awarded after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in March last year after her mother Susan spotted a lump in the nine-year-old’s armpit.
Susan, who works at an accountants in Newcastle, thought that her daughter had glandular fever, it never crossed her mind that it could be cancer.
“We took her to the doctors and they took some blood, and that night we had a phone call saying there was a query and we had to go into the hospital the next day.
“We’re quite an optimistic family so we didn’t think anything was wrong but we were in the hospital for ages, and it was at about 6pm that night when the doctor took me to one side to tell me my daughter had leukaemia.
“We were taken straight up to the ward and Jessica was prepped for surgery the next day, so from diagnosis to major surgery it was less than 12 hours. Jessica was very upset. It was extremely traumatic.”
Susan and her IT manager husband Steven praised staff at the Royal Victoria Infirmary where Jessica had several procedures and treatments. They also said that their daughter deserves the recognition at the awards due to her bravery and stoic approach.
“She had a really positive attitude and just got on with it and was just desperate to get back to school,” added Susan.
Seven year old Amelia Loftus was nominated for a Brave Heart award for her “engaging” attitude and ability to keep smiling despite being diagnosed with leukaemia in March.
Her proud father Phil said: “She kept us all going because she got on with it. Thinking of some of the procedures she had to go through makes me think she’s nothing short of amazing.
“She coped with the hair loss really well and never let it bother her. Obviously she has had her down days but on the whole she has been very positive.”
“It was a nice surprise to find out she was getting an award and she was so excited beforehand. It’s really cheered her up.”
36 children were presented with awards including seven-year-old Saffat Khan, Mya Simpson, five, from Ashington, Elizabeth McCaffrey, five, Sophia Evans, five, from Berwick, and Anthony Dodds, 10, of Lemington, Newcastle.