Return to school for courageous Emily Withers

A courageous five-year-old who successfully fought a potentially fatal bone marrow condition - thanks to a transplant from her nine-year-old sister - is getting ready to go back to school.

Emily Withers, of Lower Farm, Bloxwich, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in April. Her sister, Lauren, was the only member of the family who was a perfect match for a transplant. Aplastic anaemia is a blood disorder in which bone marrow does not make enough new blood cells.

The pair underwent the transplant in October and two months later the treatment was declared a success.

Doctors said that Emily was likely to miss her first year at school to get back to full health, but her recovery has been faster than expected and she has already spent a few days at Lower Farm Primary School in Bakewell Close alongside her twin brother Jack.

She is now looking forward to starting school full-time in January.

Her father, Mark, aged 41, who described his feelings at his daughter's diagnosis as "like your heart being ripped out", said: "Emily going back to school is going to be a real milestone.

"We were told when she was diagnosed that she probably wouldn't see the first year of school, and she started going back part-time in November.

"She was a star in the nativity play."

The family, including mother Jo, 34, started raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital in gratitude to the doctors and nurses who have cared for Emily. They have so far raised £2,500 with collections and events.

Jo said she decided not to buy Christmas cards this year, and instead donated £20 to the charity.

Both Emily and Lauren won an Express & Star Local Hero award earlier this month for their bravery.

By Hannah Webster