A MUM has received the best Christmas present she could wish for this year. Her young daughter is home after winning her brave battle for life.

Single mum Joanne Lingard feared the worst when doctors told her that her seven-year-old daughter Katie-Lee had a "serious" brain tumour.

But the pupil from Meadowhead Infant School, Blackburn, battled against the odds and recovered from a delicate brain operation which could have left her paralysed or blind.

Joanne, 23, of Bunkers Hill, Blackburn, said: " I am so relieved that she is alive and well. This is the best Christmas present I could get this year." Now the youngster has been reunited with her family and friends after being discharged from Pendlebury Children's Hospital in Manchester and even managed a visit with school pals and Santa.

Her relatives are so relieved that Katie-Lee is out of danger that they have started a massive fund-raising campaign to thank hospital staff for their efforts. Katie-Lee suffered from migraines for months and was eventually sent for a brain scan at Blackburn Royal Infirmary when the tumour was discovered.

A second brain scan at Hope Hospital, Manchester, discovered fluid blocking the brain and Katie-Lee had to undergo an emergency operation followed by a second operation to remove the tumour.

Joanne, who has another daughter Sami-Jo, added: "Doctors told me she had a very serious tumour. I have been heartbroken thinking I was going to lose her.

"The whole family has been through it over the last two months."

She added: "Katie-Lee was getting really fed up in hospital and was a bit depressed.

" She is much happier at the moment and the medication she is on will keep her fit for life."

Relatives have already raised £500 as they set the fund-raising ball rolling with raffles at Blackburn Transport and Cookson and Clegg Ltd.

A giant charity night is planned at Albion Mill in Blackburn early next year.

Katie-Lee drew the winning raffle tickets at the Blackburn Transport office with her uncle, bus driver Vic Perry.

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