A courageous Moray youngster will rejoin her classmates at primary school today after overcoming cancer and receiving a life-saving heart transplant.
Ehryn Andrews managed to conquer a rare form of bone cancer, but the treatment, combined with Sepsis – a life-threatening immune system disorder – irreparably damaged her heart.
Last August, she underwent an eight-hour operation to replace the vital organ.
And the inspirational seven-year-old is now restored to health and has been excitedly preparing for the new school term.
Ehryn began classes at Greenwards Primary School in Elgin two years ago, but her education was thrown off course when she fell ill just two months into the term.
She was only able to make sporadic appearances at school while undergoing treatment for her illnesses, and rejoined her friends in P2 after the October holidays last year.
Her mum, Lyanne Andrews, explained that Ehryn spent yesterday getting her school supplies ready.
She added: “Ehryn is really excited about going back and she can’t wait to see more of her friends. It will be special to see her return to school at the start of the term where she is supposed to be.
“Ehryn is doing better than we ever thought was possible – it’s hard to believe how ill she was a year ago.
“She has gone through so much, but she’s one determined little girl.”
Mrs Andrews added that her daughter was especially fond of arts and crafts, and is looking forward to taking part in lessons at Greenwards.
She is also relishing spending more time with her long-term friend, Ava Brandon, who kept her company while she was poorly.
Mrs Andrews added: “You would never know she’s had to fight so hard in her short life, she’s always smiling and is back to being the happy girl she was before her illnesses.”
Last June, when it became apparent that Ehryn needed a new heart, she and her parents were forced to relocate 300 miles south to Newcastle while they waited for a donor organ to become available at the city’s children’s heart unit.
The family was provided with free accommodation at the hospital by the Sick Children’s Trust charity.