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Meet Britain's most inspirational family

"In some ways it's been the hardest, the worst and also the best year of my life," reflects Vicki Martini looking back on 2014.

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It was the year that saw her two-year-old daughter Margot thrust into the world spotlight in a desperate search for a bone marrow donor to save the two-year-old's life from two rare forms of leukaemia.

Margot with parents Vikki and Yaser
Margot on her second birthday
Margot Martini and her mother Vikki after Margot received a bone marrow transplant
Margot aged 14 month

With an inspirational army of supporters named Team Margot gathering global momentum, there was immense joy at the start of the year when a donor was found in February.

But the relief and hope that the curly-haired and sprightly tot would live were cruelly dashed when test results in June found the leukaemia had returned.

What followed was months of agony for Vicki, who grew up in Essington, husband Yaser, and their two young sons Rufus and Oscar.

But despite the turmoil, Margot's cheerful and mischievous smile kept her family and hoard of supporters going.

On October 27 - just over a year from the diagnosis, the day nobody wanted arrived. The pocket princess passed away at home surrounded by her family - never knowing how she inspired thousands - if not millions - of people - sparking a revolutionary campaign to get people to sign up to the stem cell and bone marrow donor register so no other family has to suffer the painful search for a donor.

"I find it hard to believe that other years will beat the years when we had Margot in our lives," said Vicki, who now lives in Roehampton, London.

"It's been hard, gruelling, exhausting. So hard emotionally but the whole time we also had Margot in our lives, her strength, her humour and her love. And we had a daughter. And that made it all worthwhile."

Yaser added: "In one sense, it's been an utterly dreadful year for all of us and on so many levels. Every facet of our lives has been tested to the limit and beyond. This has been a year of high highs and low lows, relentless ups and downs. At times there has been promise and hope and then... emotional devastation. However, what we have also experienced is the unbelievable strength of resolve that exists within our family and friends, which is really quite remarkable. We feel very fortunate for having that support and love. Margot not only united our nearest and dearest, but also complete strangers. That's part of her legacy."

Margot was just 14-months-old when she was diagnosed with both Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in October last year.

After launching a huge celebrity-back campaign for a bone marrow donor a match was then discovered and Margot underwent a successful bone marrow transplant from an anonymous 22-year-old German man in February this year.

The family now face their first Christmas without Margot and are still coming to terms of life without their cherished daughter and sister.

"Life is quieter and now painfully easy," said Vicki.

"When I take a bubble bath, because I can, it doesn't feel like a good moment. If Margot was with me, I wouldn't have time to enjoy a bubble bath. So there's a sense of guilt with any enjoyment these days."

Yaser said: "Margot was our youngest family member but by no means was she meek and mild. She had real strength of character and a will to live which was infectious and commanded your attention. There was a different dimension with Margot in our lives. Now, there's this terrible sense of loss. We're figuring out the rest as we go."

At every stage of the rollercoaster events, Margot's brothers Oscar and Rufus has shown incredible maturity - supporting their sister and their parents throughout the year.

"Oscar and Rufus have had an early and rude introduction to some of the harsh realities in life," said Yaser.

"Throughout, Vicki and I have always been straight with them, explaining about Margot's condition and what was happening at the time and we have never given them false hope. They have coped unbelievably well during a time when our family was being ripped apart. They're talking about how they feel, which we think is a good sign for six and seven year olds.

"Equally, they experienced the joy of having Margot in their lives. Her energy. Her love. A little sister with all the trimmings. It's too early to know much more than that.

"Personally speaking, a lot has changed for me. I have a new perspective on life and my focus has changed. I have slowed down somewhat and believe I am now a better person and a more responsible world citizen. Margot taught me not to take anything for granted in life.

"There are of course changes beyond our immediate family too. This has affected everyone. I'm being gentle with myself and I think we all are with one another."

This Christmas, the family are taking a well-deserved holiday - but Vicki explains returning to everyday life is not easy.

"I don't feel excited about things I should feel excited about. We are about to go on a holiday of a lifetime and yet I'm not excited. My emotions have been blunted but at the same time I hope I'm more appreciative of the simple things, although I don't think I was unappreciative in the past," she said.

Followers of Team Margot have constantly been in awe at the dignity and the braveness of the Martini family with their willingness to go public with their heartache - and their ambition not just trying and save their daughter's life, but the lives of others.

Vicki said: "I think I just feel really proud of all my family. I'm immensely proud of Margot, Yaser, the boys and the rest of our family. And I feel blessed to have so many friends and people who have cared for us. Trust and follow your instincts as a parent and stand up for what you believe in."

The message is clear: Register. Swab. Save a life.

For more details about Margot's story and to learn more about stem cell and bone marrow donation go to www.teammargot.com/

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