IN a world where so many stories seem to have sad endings, and where the good seem prone to not winning, people such as little Hannah McCarthy are a breath of fresh air.

Born with a rare and often lethal blood disease, she has battled through and is now preparing for her first day at primary school next month.

For that we must thank the surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital who performed the bone-marrow transplant which saved her life, Hannah's loved ones for their support of the little girl and Hannah herself for her courage against the odds.

She is an example to us all.