Brave Swaffham toddler nominated for Cancer Research UK award

Two-year-old Esmé Lambert, from Swaffham, is coming to the end of a tough year of chemotherapy after a tummy bug turned out to be brain cancer symptoms.

Her birthday is today (Tuesday, December 3) and her parents are hoping their daughter will be well enough to come home for a very special party.

Mum, Wendy, 33, and dad, Aaron, 34, are heading to Suffolk for a week’s break with all the family to ensure Esmé enjoys a third birthday she will never forget.

Aaron said: “We gave Esmé a Moana cake because she loved the film, but she didn’t have the energy to really enjoy it, or celebrate her birthday.

“ A lot has happened in the past year and she has come through some very difficult treatment without complaint.

“We are so proud of her, she is just such a joy and a bundle of fun and she deserves a very special birthday and a huge fuss made over her.”

Aaron added: “We still have a bit to go, we are now on our fifth chemotherapy cycle of seven and Esmé has coped remarkably well. If she hadn’t lost her hair, you wouldn’t notice she was ill.

“She drinks and eats well and she has loads of energy, so much so, we have to chase her down the corridor with her IV-pump still attached.”

The Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Awards, supported by TK Maxx, celebrates the strength shown by youngsters who have been diagnosed with and treated for cancer.

Esmé was nominated last year, by her parents after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour after a sudden short bout of sickness.

Every child nominated receives a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, T-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces. Including Dr Ranj and Mr Maker, two family TV favourites.