Birthday gift of life for Holly

A brave Shropshire girl will be spending her 10th birthday in hospital as she receives the most precious present imaginable - the gift of life.Holly Pitt, from Ludlow, is unlike most girls her age - for the past six months she has been courageously battling leukaemia.

But for her 10th birthday, she will be in Birmingham Children’s Hospital receiving a bone marrow transplant from America which will hopefully save her life.

Holly has been seriously ill as she has endured numerous infections and chemotherapy.

But, just a few months ago, she and her parents Sharon and David, of Steventon New Road, received the news they had all been waiting for when a near bone marrow match was found.

Holly’s aunt Barbara Biggs said Holly was “over the moon” and said it would be the “best birthday ever”.

She said: “All Holly’s relatives were tested and a match could not been found in this country, but she now has two near matches from America.

“She has been having regular blood transfusions and chemotherapy and doctors are hoping this will help her beat the disease once and for all.”

In the last six months, Holly has spent more time in hospital than at home and a break at Christmas and New Year was the longest period she had been able to spend with her family.

To help put a smile back on her face, the national Make-a-Wish Foundation charity made Holly’s wish for a laptop come true and she has been using it to keep in touch with friends while she has been ill.

The Dr Who fan was also given a signed picture of the show’s star David Tennant.

Agricultural machinery manufacturer McConnel, of Temeside Works, Ludlow, where Holly’s uncle Philip Biggs works, also raised money and bought her an iPod music player.

Holly is set to receive the transplant on Tuesday, the day after her birthday, and will be in isolation for about eight weeks.

Mrs Biggs said: “It’s horrible to see her with no go in her. She’s just had no energy. But everyone’s been so wonderful and the family have organised a number of fundraising events for the Rainbow Children’s Ward at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to thank them for the care Holly has received.”

One such event is a grand prize bingo night at Ludlow Labour Club, Station Drive, Ludlow, on Thursday, from 7pm.