At the age of just 17 months, little Nicole Millar faced the fight of her life to beat cancer amid fears she would never be able to walk.
But the tough Peterhead tot defied all the odds to survive a paralysing tumour and come out the other end a happy and lively four-year-old.
The youngster has now been presented with Cancer Research UK’s Kid and Teens Star Award in honour of the bravery she showed, and was praised by the judges for her strength throughout her battle.
Nicole was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called neuroblastoma nearly three years ago, and her family feared she would never walk again because the tumour had grown through the vertebrae of her spine, paralysing her from the chest down.
First diagnosed in January 2013, the youngster underwent four months of surgery and chemotherapy before she was declared cancer free, but still faced the prospect of permanent paralysis.
Nicole battled hours of painstaking physiotherapy and defied even the most hopeful expectations of her doctors.
Father David, a former RAF serviceman, said: “The treatment Nicole endured was really hard and so when, in May 2013, we were told the cancer was gone, it was such a relief that our little girl was going to get to enjoy her life again.
“As a family, we could finally breathe again.
“Since then, Nicole has been going from strength to strength. We never expected her to walk but the speed she’s become mobile has been phenomenal.”
There were emotional scenes at Peterhead last summer when Nicole “astounded” the 600 supporters who had turned out for the annual Relay for Life event by walking around the track at Catto Park.
Cheered on by parents David and Lorna and sister Emma, Nicole used her sticks to support her around the 400m course.
Mrs Millar said: “I couldn’t have been more proud of Nicole that day. To see how far she had come was just amazing.
“It took Nicole 40 minutes to walk 400m around the athletics track but she did it. She was so determined.
“There is no doubt in our minds that Nicole is a real hero and very much deserves her Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Award.”
Last night, Cancer Research spokeswoman Linda Summerhayes described the schoolgirl as a “true star”.
She added: “It is a privilege to be able to recognise the courage of youngsters like Nicole and her family.”