Brave Lochgelly youngster Ava Stark has begun primary one after undergoing a life-saving bone marrow transplant. Picture: Steven Brown.

After undergoing a bone marrow transplant, Ava manages to join school on time

Brave Lochgelly youngster Ava Stark has begun primary one after undergoing a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

The plucky five-year-old set off for her first day at Lumphinnans Primary Community School with her emotional family by her side.

Ava touched the hearts of thousands after being diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure in April 2016.

After a worldwide search, which prompted more than 83,000 to register as potential donors, the youngster found her match and underwent the transplant in December that year.

Ava, who became the face of a recruitment campaign by charity Anthony Nolan, has gone from strength to strength, meaning she can start primary school on time.

Mum Marie yesterday said: “There were hundreds and millions of times that I didn’t think this day would come.

“I can’t thank everyone who signed up as donors enough because they helped make this day possible.

“My mum’s been homeschooling Ava since she got ill so she’s going to feel like she’s lost her left arm now.

“Ava is so excited but the same rules about germs and things stand. The hospital are going to send a nurse to speak to the staff and they’ve all asked for pictures of her first day.”

Gran Agnes Sutherland said: “I’m so proud of how far Ava has come. I never ever thought we would see this day. I’m heartbroken but happy.”

Over at Aberdour Primary, triplets started school for the first time.

Paige, Lottie and Aidan Robson were waved off by mum Hannah Norman.

And Burntisland Primary School was seeing double.

Two sets of twins started primary one yesterday, including five-year-olds Izzy and Mhairi Stroud.

One mum who is rather familiar with schools across Fife waved off her own child as he embarks on his first steps in education.

Among the anxious parents was SNP councillor Fay Sinclair, convener of Fife’s education and children’s services committee, who dropped off her second son, Andrew, to start his first day at Carnegie Primary School in Dunfermline.

“I never ever thought we would see this day. I’m heartbroken but happy

Picture: Steven Brown. Plucky Ava all set for her first day in primary one after becoming seriously ill with bone marrow failure and receiving a life-saving transplant.

Brown. Pictures: Steven Izzy and Mhairi Stroud are one new set of twins at Burntisland Primary, while triplets Lottie, Aidan and Paige Robson enter Aberdour Primary School.

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