Leah’s a class act when it comes to teaching

Brave sevenyear-old’s dream comes true as she battles tumour

A young girl battling a brain tumour got to be a school teacher for a day after a children’s charity granted her a wish.

Seven-year-old Leah McDonald, who has undergone 18 months of intense chemotherapy treatment and surgery, took classes for a day at St Clement’s RC Primary in Dundee thanks to Make-A-Wish UK.

Chemotherapy has given Leah Type 1 diabetes and she also takes steroids for an adrenal deficiency and medicine for her thyroid.

Even when she was exhausted after chemotherapy, Leah still went to school – and turned to Make-A-Wish to realise her dream of becoming a teacher for a day.

The charity’s Lucy Dowling planned a whole day of teaching for Leah and arranged for personalised stationery to be delivered to help her prepare.

Lucy also sent her on a VIP shopping trip in a Limo to select the perfect outfit and have her nails painted, before going out for a celebratory dinner.

Teachers had bought Leah a number of gifts, including a lanyard with hearts on it to hold her teacher’s ID card.

Leah took the class throughout the day. In her art class, she taught the pupils how to make a St Patrick’s Day hat and later awarded certificates.

Mum Elaine said: “Leah is noticeably more independent since her wish. She had lost a lot of that after going into hospital when she had no control over what happened to her.

“It’s brought us all so much joy seeing Leah so happy. It’s one of those experiences she’ll never forget.

“Her wish has made her even more determined to be a teacher when she’s older and made that dream all the more real.”

Lucy said: “Children like Leah endure things that no child should face, and we believe by providing quality time away from the daily realities of their illness we can give children hope for the future, strength to cope and resilience to fight their condition – whatever the future may hold.

“We’re delighted that Leah’s wish has inspired her to follow her dreams.”

A natural: Leah McDonald takes a lesson during her day spent as a teacher at St Clement’s RC Primary School in Dundee.