MIRACLE girl Katie Maloney has the fighting spirit in her genes.

The battling baby, who has cheated death by defeating all the odds stacked against her, celebrated her first birthday this week, a milestone she was not expected to reach.

Katie, is the grand-daughter of Leigh's outdoor market campaigner, Maureen Maloney.

For the last year, however, Maureen fought on with the fear that she could lose her fourth grandchild at any time always on her mind.

When Katie was born doctors did not expect her to live and the family braced themselves for the worst.

During every step of her battle for life Maureen's son Paul, 31, daughter-in-law, Tracy 32, and grandson Matthew, who live in Haydock, stayed by her side, living at Alder Hey Hospital for three months.

When she was brought into the world by emergency caesarian section complications set in and after her organs almost shut down completely Katie had to be resuscitated.

At Alder Hey she underwent dialysis and had major surgery to cure a perforated bowel and peritonitis.

She left intensive care after 11 weeks then suffered a cardiac arrest and was once again resuscitated.

First time

She went home for the first time in October and doctors doubted she would make it until Christmas. She once again proved them, wrong and then went back into hospital to have her bowl rejoined.

She now awaits a kidney transplant.

Maureen said: "Our family's fighting resolve must have rubbed off on Katie. She's a lovely little girl and we're so lucky to have her.

"Doctors were convinced she was going to die, but she's showed them what the Maloneys are made of. We don't give in easily.

"The family, who are also celebrating Paul and Tracy's wedding anniversary on Tuesday, Katie's birthday on Wednesday and Paul's birthday today, have gone to York but are planning a trip to Euro Disney where Katie will be allowed to go because there is a nearby hospital that deals with kidney problems.

"We are now hoping that the worst is over. We can't thank the caring staff at Alder Hey enough for all they have done."