Despite everything she has had to endure, Tain’s Polly Melville is a positive and fun loving teenager who enjoys the sun, shopping and spending time with her family and friends.
The 17-year-old, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in February 2013, has just enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to meet Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and other track heroes at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Sadly Polly’s first round of treatment was successful for a short time only, and she suffered a relapse. She then had to undergo a stem cell transplant in June 2014.
During her time in hospital, she developed a new interest, Formula One. She began closely following all the races and became a true F1 expert.
Her Formula One experience was organised by Starlight Children’s Foundation, the UK’s leading wish granting charity for children with serious and terminal illnesses.
Polly, along with four other Starlight wish youngsters, was whisked away with her dad, Paul, and enjoyed a very special four nights watching the world famous event.
She said: “It was absolutely incredible, everything was amazing from start to finish.”
This is the eighth year that Starlight has organised the trip which is largely supported by Formula One’s Chief Executive, Bernie Ecclestone.
The avid F1 fans and their families met Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas and Fernando Alonso, as well as legends, Sir Frank Williams and Sir Jackie Stewart.
Polly’s Starlight Wish was to go to a sunny Grand Prix and meet her favourite driver, Lewis Hamilton.
Her father Paul said: “This trip has been so much more than I could have ever given Polly. It has given her the chance to meet and interact with people dealing with similar conditions and share special moments with them.
“Polly was so delighted and happy when she met Lewis Hamilton and all the other drivers and personalities. They really did make the kids feel special.
“Thank you Starlight for giving Polly this once-in-a-lifetime experience, she loved every second of it.”
Prior to her diagnosis, she enjoyed swimming competitively. Polly looks forward to being able to continue with her swimming when she has more energy.
