So proud of our girl’s brave fight against tumour
PixieBelle, 9, hailed at our Awards
LITTLE PixieBelle Sykes has endured four brain operations, lost her hair three times and her sight in one eye but keeps on smiling. Despite undergoing gruelling cancer treatment for three years, the nine-year-old girl and her family have managed to help raise £45,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
And now she has been rewarded with a Child of Courage Award at The MEN Pride of Manchester Awards, in partnership with TSB.
PixieBelle, of Ashton-underLyne, was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma when she was five years old after her parents took her for an eye test.
An MRI scan revealed the rare tumour behind her eye and doctors drew up an 84-week treatment plan.
Dad Andy, 39, said: “Pixie had always been completely fit so we were stunned.”
After 21 weeks of chemotherapy in 2018, she had an adverse reaction which meant she had to start treatment again.
She endured 111 sessions but in October 2021, she celebrated the end of her treatments only to find, three months later, the tumour had regrown. PixieBelle is now one of 60 people taking part in a trial of a pill.
“There are far fewer side effects, and PixieBelle is able to pretty much carry on with life as normal,” said mum Katie.
“She loves to perform, everything she has had to go through she’s just embraced.”
Speaking ahead of her award, Andy said: “We’re all very proud. It’s an amazing experience after a really, really tough time.”
The ceremony, at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel last night, was hosted by Coronation Street star Kym Marsh and honoured the region’s unsung heroes. Stars included former Spice Girl Mel B, swimmer Becky Adlington OBE and boxer Ricky Hatton.
Singer Fleur East, actors Lucy Fallon, Antony Cotton, John Thomson and Natalie Anderson and Mayor Andy Burnham also all cheered on the recipients.
Other winners included Prof Tony Redmond OBE, 70, who has led the UK’s response to disasters for decades and Prof Erinma Bell MBE, 57, who campaigns to protect young people from violent crime.
Lydia Ina, 82, won the Marcus Rashford Children’s Champion gong because she has fostered more than 300 children in Manchester and set up an orphanage in Nigeria.
And twins Ruben and Elena Evans-Guillen, 11, who both have ADHD, were given a prize for their impressive fundraising.
Host Kym said: “The winners embody all the qualities that make us so proud to be from this incredible city.”
The MEN Pride of Manchester Awards, in partnership with TSB, at 7pm on May 17, youtube. com/prideofbritainawards