Ballinderry teenager battling brain tumour wins Young Person of the Year award

The award is given to someone who has proved themselves to be an everyday young hero.

Danielle was diagnosed with a brain tumour and hydrocephalus (water on the brain) in July 2011, when she was 14 years old.

She has undergone gruelling treatment but the now 18-year-old continues to fight through her illness to raise awareness and funds for The Brain Tumour Charity as one of their Young Ambassadors.

She has raised over £100,000 for The Charity to date and inspires thousands through her blog, ‘Danielle’s Journey’.

Danielle said: “It’s an evening I’ll remember forever! I’m so grateful to all my friends and family for supporting me throughout my journey, fundraising and raising awareness of brain tumours. It has helped me to ‘Stay Strong, Keep Positive... always at the most difficult times.”

Richard Devlin, The Brain Tumour Charity’s Operations Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted that Danielle’s efforts have been recognised with the Young Person of the Year Award at this year’s Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards.

“She is a fantastic and inspirational ambassador for The Charity. We receive no government funding and rely 100% on voluntary donations, so it’s thanks to people like Danielle that we are able to continue our work.”

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, yet less than 2% of cancer research funding goes on brain tumours in the UK.

The Brain Tumour Charity is at the forefront of the fight to defeat brain tumours and is making a difference every day to the lives of people affected with a brain tumour and their families.

The Charity funds pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment option as well as raising awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis.

It helps affected families cope, providing support so that people affected by brain tumours can experience the best possible quality of life.

The Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards pays tribute to ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things to help others.

The awards ceremony, held at the Culloden Hotel in Holywood on Friday 12 June, saw a host of celebrities turn out to honour the everyday heroes including stars from Game of Thrones and Coronation Street.

You will be able to watch UTV’s one-hour special programme of the event on 19 June at 9pm.