Brave Guide helps mum through cancer

A KIND-HEARTED Girl Guide was thrilled to receive a surprise award acknowledging how she supported her mum through a year-long cancer ordeal.

Unsung hero Liberty Miles, 10, bravely faced adversity by sticking to her guiding promise to be helpful throughout – and her caring and positive attitude kept her family smiling.

Mum Andie, 49, described her daughter – who made her sandwiches, baked cakes for chemotherapy staff, and didn’t miss a single day of school - as a “little star”.

Andie, of Temple Street, was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the bladder in November last year. She underwent complex surgery to remodel her bladder from her bowel and is now on the road to recovery.

Liberty was shocked but delighted to be unexpectedly presented with a certificate of commendation from Guides’ county commissioner Sue Bullock recently.

The accolade was in recognition of how supportive and helpful the Sidmouth Primary School pupil had been to her mum in the past 12 months.

“She was stunned someone had acknowledged her – we all had a tear in our eyes,” said Andie.

“Children like Liberty are the unsung heroes of this illness.

“It was an awful time, but she kept everybody smiling. She’s been a fantastic support and has been a little star.

“The Guides was a sanctuary for her – it kept her going.

“Liberty’s message to other children going through this is to keep that normality. It’s important to be treated normally as well.”