Girl with brain tumour recognised with award

Lyla and her family set up a charity in 2021 to raise funds for other ill children

A girl has been hailed as an inspiration for raising funds for seriously ill children while living with a rare brain tumour herself.

Lyla O'Donovan, 11, was crowned Inspirational Service Child of the Year by North Yorkshire Council.

The Catterick schoolgirl helps raise money to grant small wishes to children affected by cancer or lifelong illness.

Her father, Paul O'Donovan, an Army corporal, said he was "proud" of his daughter's achievements.

Lyla was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma, a slow-growing tumour, aged three.

Since then, she has undergone 20 operations and has been in and out of hospital over the years.

To bring joy to others, Lyla and her family set up a charity in 2021 and said they have so far supported thousands of children aged under 16.

This week, the Le Cateau Community Primary School pupil was among the children honoured in the first ever awards to recognise youngsters in North Yorkshire's Armed Forces communities.

Mr O'Donovan said his daughter was "over the moon" to have won the Inspirational Service Child of the Year award.

He said: "She faces so many challenges but in true Lyla spirit she cracks on and always tries her best.

"It would have been easy for her to be sad and feel sorry for herself, but she didn't.

"Instead, she has used her situation to help others and that is something we as a family are super proud of."

The council's executive member for children and families, councillor Janet Sanderson, said it was important that service children were celebrated.

"We had an amazing 92 children, young people and organisations nominated this year and, after the difficult job of shortlisting, we had a total of nine outstanding winners," she said.

"My congratulations to all those who were nominated and the winners."

Drama and dance teacher at Richmond School and Sixth Form College Stephen Birdsall was crowned Service Children Advocate.

Luke Wagstaff, Riley Manuel, Kacey Clark, Hazel Brittenden and Benedict Simpson-Alexander were named Creative Champion, Community Champion, Caring Champion, Musical Champion and Sporting Champion respectively.

Meanwhile, the federation of Beckwithshaw and Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary Schools won the Service Children Friendly School accolade and e50K was crowned Service Children Friendly Club.