She's a little angel

A schoolgirl battling cancer has been honoured with a special Princess Diana award in recognition of her work with other sick youngsters.

Danika Schofield, 15, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September 2000, regularly gives up her free time to make sure others are happy and trouble free.

Her teachers at the Ridgeway School submitted her name for a Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award - and the charity wrote back saying it was 'delighted' to recognise and celebrate Danika's achievements.

Part of Danika's selfless activities over the past year have included decorating the children's ward at Swindon's Great Western Hospital with cheery murals and helping elderly people with Christmas shopping.

She is also a keen member of her school's Year 10 peer mentoring group, which helps younger students talk through any problems or concerns.

Danika said: "I was quite surprised when I was told about the award. I don't think I have done anything big because I really enjoy it. All the children in the hospital are there for a reason and the murals and paintings are a way of cheering up the place.

"Some children are very ill and miss quite a lot of school so there's a room where you have lessons.

"The artwork just helps to make it seem more laid back. During the three years I was in and out of hospital I was helped with my schoolwork, so I know how important it is."

Danika, of Beverly in Toothill, plans to put her experiences to good use later in life. She said: "I definitely want to work with children in some way. Maybe as a children's nurse or a child psychologist."

Her happy outlook is all the more remarkable considering the year she has had. Her cancer was in remission, but doctors recently found a lump on her neck.

"I'm waiting to go to London to see a specialist," she said. "I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I don't really have any feelings about it at the moment."

In October her father Paul, 38, was taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital with a brain tumour. "He's not too bad now, but my great grandad, Thomas Povey, died of prostate cancer in November. He was 91 and more like a dad to my dad, and a grandfather to me.

"It has been a really tough year, but you have to stay strong and get through it for other people as well as yourself, because you don't really have any choice."

Her mum Karen, 33, a customer services adviser at Thames Water, said: "Last year was a nightmare. Danika spent the best part of it in hospital in Oxford and also suffered an allergic reaction to a chemo treatment. The cancer has taken a lot of her childhood away. But she is a real fighter."

Danika's headteacher Elizabeth Cooper said: "Danika has shown commendable bravery and strength of character in coping with the challenge of serious illness.

"She is a remarkable young woman and the school is very proud of her achievement.

"She has taken part in Christmas shopping events to help the elderly, has helped the hospital children's ward and is one of 30 students in the peer mentoring scheme.

"All of this is characteristic of Danika's selfless attitude and adds up to a remarkable individual. This is a fitting award."

Since the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award, began in 1999, 4,200 12 to 18-year-olds from across the UK have received a certificate. Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, said: "I give the Diana Awards my enthusiastic support. They commemorate an aspect of my sister's life in a simple and direct way by celebrating young people's achievements and strengths."

The Diana Award helps schools celebrate their pupils' achievements.

It is a non-competitive award which recognises school students who work as peer mentors, fundraisers, young carers, school councillors, environmental campaigners, sports leaders or those who simply overcome adversity.

Hodgkin's disease is one of a group of cancers called lymphomas. Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system.

Alex Emery