A YOUNG girl who is fighting back after having a brain tumour removed is using her love of dance to help her tackle her gruelling treatment.

Enna Stephens’ world was turned upside down when the tumour was discovered by an optician after she started complaining of headaches.

A swelling was found behind her eye and a scan revealed she had a malignant medulloblastoma.

Since the diagnosis, the sevenyear- old, from New Marske, east Cleveland, endured a five-and-ahalf hour operation at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), in Newcastle, to remove the tumour.

She has now been able to put her dance shoes back on and start practising again at the Unique School of Dance when she is back at her home on weekends.

The family stay at Crawford House, run by The Sick Children’s Trust, in Newcastle, throughout the week to be at Enna’s side during her treatment.

Her parents are full of praise for the charity, which helps keep the family together.

Her father, Dougie, a team leader at Warburton’s bakery, said: “It was a massive shock because she is just a child.

“What started out as Enna complaining about headaches turned into a brain tumour and an operation at the RVI.

“Obviously, Enna was going to be in hospital for a long time and we really did not know how we were going to cope, but someone told us about The Sick Children’s Trust and they helped us.

“We did not realise how important the charity was until we needed it and it is really important to try and keep the family together when you are going through something as traumatic as Enna’s illness.”

Enna is in middle of a radiotherapy programme and will start 48 weeks of chemotherapy when that has finished.

One of the side-effects of Enna’s operation was that, for a short while, she would burst into fits of giggles.

Her father said: “It was good to hear her laugh, but it was only a temporary reaction to the operation and we still have a long way to go with her treatment.”

Friends and family are rallying to help them raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust, which continues to support the family.

An event is expected to take place on Saturday, September 17, at the New Marske Institute.

It is hoped a family fun day will take place in the afternoon, followed by a ticketed event in the evening.

Anyone who would like to donate raffle or auction prizes can email Ruth Hebden at allen.

hebden1@ntlworld.com A fundraising dance show is also being planned by Unique School of Dance at Coatham Bowl on October 1.