LITTLE MISS COURAGE
TILLY IS AN INSPIRATION TO OTHER YOUNG PATIENTS
INSPIRATIONAL Tilly Sawford has defied the odds to give hope to others despite enduring more than 700 operations since suffering 86 percent burns in a freak accident when she was a toddler.
The 11-year-old, from Bilborough, was given a five percent chance of survival in March 2009 when she fell into a bath of scalding water.
In spite of her nightmare ordeal, Tilly has gone on to become a force of positive energy, supporting many other youngsters having a tough time in hospital and leaving her entire family amazed at the way she has coped.
Now, Tilly has been put forward for the Nottingham Post Heroes Awards 2018 by proud mum Emma, 32, and dad Kyle, 31.
Emma said: “She’s been through so much in her short life, but she never moans and always has a smile on her face. She’s amazing and her energy keeps us all going.”
Tilly was only 15 months old when she accidentally fell into a scalding bath.
The family had only recently moved into the house, and didn’t know the thermostat on the boiler was faulty.
The tot was rushed to the Queen’s Medical Centre, spending six months in intensive care. Emma and Kyle were told she would die on seven separate occasions.
Since then, Tilly has had more than 700 operations, including grafts of shark cartilage and cow collagen. She has already had to have her right leg amputated and the family have recently been told she may have to lose her other leg.
Meanwhile, the Djanogly Strelley Academy student will also face years of complicated surgery on her hands to regain full movement.
Despite all this, Tilly has remained positive and full of hope.
Emma continued: “Tilly is our hero - not just because she is still here, but because every day she has a smile on her face and loves to help people in all sorts of ways.
“She is a true inspiration to everyone in our community.”
Tilly’s bravery saw her win a Pride of Britain Award in 2016 and her family were also featured in a moving episode of Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden on ITV after staff at the QMC nominated her for the treat.
Tilly, whose other hobbies include singing and watching her favourite stars on Youtube, manages to stay positive because she says there are a lot of people more poorly than her out there.
She added: “I love my operations as I love going down for sleeping gas - as long as they have my pink mask ready.
“I also love meeting new people and more children in the hospital and sharing my experiences with them.”
Tilly has been put forward for the Child of Courage category at this year’s Nottingham Post Heroes Awards.
A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes, which is sponsoring the category, said: “The child of courage award is a wonderful way of honouring brave young people and children who have suffered serious illnesses, injuries or shown tremendous dedication to raising money for loved ones and charity.
“We are honoured to support this wonderful award and share our admiration for the incredibly brave children who are recognised for their courage.”
Now in their fifth year, the Nottingham Post Heroes Awards - in association with the Nottinghamshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner - are a chance to say thank you to the many volunteers, community champions, children of courage, sports team leaders and others who selflessly help or inspire others every day.
It’s really easy to nominate a group or individual using our quick and easy online form at www.nottinghampost.com/all-about/heroes
You have until Monday, October 29 to tell us your stories, after which the judges will come up with a shortlist in each category, who will be invited to a glitzy awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nottingham on Tuesday, November 20.