Child of courage back at school

A young girl who won a cup in last year’s Advertiser Children Of Courage Awards for her ability to cope with a serious illness is able to attend school full-time after an operation to remove most of a brain tumour.

Georgia Pickerill (7) of Worthington Road, Balderton, was diagnosed with a brain tumour on her fourth birthday in 2004 and received regular chemotherapy sessions because it was thought to be inoperable.

Throughout all her hospital visits in those two years, and even when she lost her hair, Georgia remained a happy and smiling young girl, which is why she was nominated for the award by friends and family.

But in May, after she had won the child of courage cup, Georgia had a scan that revealed what seemed like a large growth on the tumour.

She had a drug line inserted and started another course of chemotherapy.

Over the summer months Georgia became very ill and was taken to the Queen’s Medical centre in Nottingham many times because she was complaining of headaches.

Georgia had become too sensitive to the chemotherapy, so treatment was stopped and the only option was to operate.

A large part of the tumour was removed in September but a small part still remains.

It is expected to remain dormant.

Georgia’s mother, Mrs Kate Pickerill, said: “It is a huge relief at the end of it all now.”

In October Georgia returned full-time to Chuter Ede Primary School, Balderton.

She still attends weekly physiotherapy in Newark because the left side of her body was paralysed, and she will continue to wear a splint on her left leg and arm.

Mrs Pickerill said the left side of her body would probably never fully recover.

Georgia said that winning the cup last year was exciting.

She said: “It was a nice surprise and it was exciting to go to the meal and awards.

Mrs Sylvia Shrive, Georgia’s grandmother, also nominated Georgia’s sister, Holly (11) for an award for being an unsung hero.

Throughout all the hospital visits, Holly has remained by Georgia’s side and researched her condition.

Georgia said: “It was quite nice that Holly got to win an award as well.

“She has been there when I have been in hospital and it was nice to have her there on that night again.”

Mrs Pickerill said that the awards provided a good moment among all the bad things that had happened and lifted spirits within the family.

She said: “It was amazing for Georgia to win after all she had been through.”

The Advertiser is looking for nominations for this year’s Children Of Courage awards.

There are six categories: child or young person who has suffered loss; child or young person who has overcome a serious illness or adversity; child or young person who has shown an act of bravery in extreme circumstances; child or young person who has shown responsibility in the role of a carer; child or young person who has worked for a charity in terms of increasing awareness/fundraising.

Nominations must be received by the Advertiser by March 14 and awards will be presented at Highfields School on April 3.

The judges will include the Advertiser’s joint managing director, Miss Joanna Parlby, and the founder of a new school to help children with special needs, Mrs Terri Westmoreland.

More information is available from promotions executive Cassandra Holmes at the Advertiser.