Six-year-old recognised for bravery in facing cancer

A six-year-old with cancer has been celebrated for her incredible bravery at an awards ceremony. Carly-Rae Gilbert from Elgin was awarded the Brave Child of the Year category, sponsored by MacDuff Shipyards, at the 2024 Moray and Banffshire Heroes awards. Her win came in recognition of the inspiring way she has responded to a shock diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just days after her sixth birthday.

The Primary 2 pupil, who attends Bishopmill Primary in Elgin, undergoes chemotherapy at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital and also received dialysis in Glasgow after suffering acute kidney failure. Speaking after her win, Carly-Rae’s mum Sam said: “It's good, and a bit of a shock, but it's nice to know that we've got so many people behind us especially on a journey like this. “We've got a good, good community and a good bunch of people around us.



” A nomination for Carly-Rae paid tribute to her amazing bravery: "She is missing out on so much, especially school. “Carly-Rae has taken everything in her stride. “Her goal is to beat cancer and get back to her dancing, back to school and be a normal child again.

" After the six-year-old was nominated, her proud mum Sam said: "It's very emotional - she why it was her, because other children in hospital are so brave. “She's excited and looking forward to getting a new dress and shoes!" Carly was joined on the shortlist by another three remarkable children. King Edward School pupil Bobby-Jo Killoh was shortlisted after being diagnosed with acute liver failure at just four years old, along with a later diagnosis of aplastic anaemia.

Ahead of the awards ceremony, proud dad Iain said: “None of this ever phased him, he took it all in his stride.” Eight-year-old Amelia Topa was diagnosed with leukaemia at just two weeks’ old. However, after countless rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and a stem cell transplant, she is now in remission.

After learning of her nomination, her mum Kerri said: “I’m shocked but I’m really proud and happy. She’s doing really well..

” Sonny Stewart, a 13-year-old Elgin High School pupil, was born with Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, along with complex defects which affect his lungs and cause low oxygen levels. However, brave Sonny still attends school for four half days a week and loves riding his motocross bike. His mum Natasha said: “He blows my mind.

He doesn’t let anything get in his way.”.