Erin Cross

Erin describes herself as ‘one of a kind’ and it is hard to imagine that anyone who has met her – including Simon Cowell, Ant and Dec and Amanda Holden – would disagree. The cancer specialists who have witnessed her battling for survival against all odds can certainly vouch for Erin’s indomitable spirit.

Erin, now aged seven, was just two when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and she has come close to losing her life several times. ‘Erin is a superstar,’ says nurse Claire Bunny, one of the team that helps care for Erin at the Countess of Chester Hospital in her home city. ‘She’s a role model to other children – and she shows us all that there is hope.’ Erin’s courage made her a clear winner at last year’s WellChild Awards, where she added Prince Harry to her roll call of famous encounters.

Erin’s parents Sarah, 43, a former GP surgery receptionist, and her teacher husband Antony, 41, endured eight years of fertility treatment before their only child was conceived via IVF. After Erin’s birth in August 2010, there was no inkling of ill health