A GIRL who has battled cancer throughout her life has given back to a charity that supports other youngsters fighting the disease.

Kiayah Taylor, 11, from Catterick, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumour that mainly affects children, when she was three and had to undergo years of gruelling chemotherapy.

Now in remission, Kiayah has today (Friday, January 17) handed over a cheque for £100 to Yorkshire children’s cancer charity Candlelighters after organising her own cupcake sale at Carnagill School, Catterick Garrison.

Her mother Rachel Taylor, who serves in the Royal Army Dental Corps, said: “Kiayah had been complaining of headaches in the same place on her forehead every day, but doctors thought it was just a bug.

“But on two occasions she woke up unable to move from the waist down so we rushed her back to the doctor and finally she was sent for an MRI scan.”

Kiayah was lucky that a 10-hour operation to remove the tumour was successful in getting rid of all traces of her growth - the size of a plum - but there were still cancer cells left on her spine.

Mrs Taylor, who has two other children, Connour, 18 and Eloijah, four months, said Kiayah was a determined girl who went into each class at school to ask them to bring in cakes for the fundraising sale.

“I’m so proud of her. She has always wanted to help others and I think she will continue to fundraise.

“The staff and pupils at Carnagill School have been so supportive and fantastic in the way they care for her.”