PixieBelle Wins Child of Courage Award

A YOUNG fundraiser and patient who has endured four brain operations has won a Child of Courage Award.

PixieBelle Sykes collected her accolade last night at The MEN Pride of Manchester Awards.

The nine-year-old has undergone gruelling cancer treatments for three years at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. But despite everything the family have been through, the Sykes Family have  still found time to raise a staggering £45,000 for our Charity.

PixieBelle with parents Andy and Katie and brother Zac

PixieBelle, who lives in Ashton-under-Lyne, was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma when she was just five years old, after her parents Katie and Andy took her for an eye test.

An MRI scan revealed PixieBelle had a rare tumour behind her eye, so medical experts drew up an 84-week treatment plan.

After 21 weeks of chemotherapy in 2018, PixieBelle unfortunately had an adverse reaction to her treatment, which meant she had to start over again. She endured 111 sessions and in October 2021 she celebrated the end of her treatments.

Unfortunately, three months later doctors found the tumour had regrown. PixieBelle is now taking part in a special trial of a pill.

Last night (10th May 2022), PixieBelle was able to put thoughts of tumours and treatment aside to collect her award at the event at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester city centre.

The event was hosted by Kym Marsh and PixieBelle met a whole host of celebrity attendees, including Charity Patron John Thomson, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Granada Reports presenters Lucy Meacock and Gamal Fahnbulleh, rapper and radio presenter Fleur East and Elbow's frontman Guy Garvey.

PixieBelle and dad Andy with Elbow's Guy Garvey

Charity Events Manager Viv Williamson, who will be cheering on PixieBelle's dad Andy Sykes later this month when he takes part in the Great Manchester Run, said: "Every year these awards just bring home the reality of what our patients and families go through. PixieBelle has shown so much courage through her treatment and rightly deserves this award.

"We're proud of all our patients and fundraisers who not only show bravery and determination throughout their treatment, but also give up their time to do something truly inspiring for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity."

PixieBelle was in good company as another Royal Manchester Children's Hospital patient also won an award this year. The Teenager of Courage Award went to 15-year-old Liam Preece from Stalybridge. Liam has endured two years of treatment for bone cancer, but despite his own challenges, he is determined to try and help others feel better through his own YouTube channel, My Name is Liam.

Another children's hospital patient and fundraiser, Ella Chadwick is also a previous winner. She was named Child of Courage at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2018. As Pride of Manchester award winners, PixieBelle and Liam will now automatically be entered into the national contest, taking place later this year, and will have a chance of winning a Pride of Britain Award too.

The MEN Pride of Manchester Awards will be shown on YouTube at 7pm on Tuesday, 17th May. To find out more about taking part in an activity to raise funds for our Charity visit our Events Page.

The Sykes Family with Andy Burnham

The family grabbed a snap with Fleur East

Posing with Dr Raj Singh

Smiling for the camera with the Granada Reports team