WHEN Lyla O’Donovan’s parents were told she may one day need life-threatening brain surgery they decided not to give in to the sadness, but to make happy memories instead.

They drew up a list of three big wishes and now, with help from supporters inspired by the six-year-old's positive attitude, Paul and Kirsty have them all in sight.

“We’re lost for words, we never imagined the extent of people’s generosity and cannot say just how much it means to us to have all three done or booked,” said 34-year-old soldier Mr O’Donovan.

In 2016, when Lyla was just three, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent surgery.

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Brave Lyla after surgery when she was just three

Endless complications followed and, in November, an MRI scan revealed old scar tissue was causing her symptoms– such as seizures, fatigue, forgetfulness, choking, anger and toilet accidents – to worsen.

Mr O’Donovan said: “The scar tissue might come away itself, that is the perfect scenario but the chances are really slim – just two, three, four per cent. We can only hope that is what happens.

“If not, she is likely to need a big life-threatening operation to separate the scar tissue from the brain stem. We just don’t know when, it could be next week or in ten years time.

“In 2017 we thought everything was going okay, Lyla was doing well, she was back to nursery and we let our guard down then she was back in hospital with hydrocephalus and nearly died.

“Now we don’t let ourselves relax as much, we are always prepared for what could happen. That is why we made the list, to give us something positive to aim for and achieve.”

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The family celebrates as Paul and Kirsty O'Donovan renew their wedding vows in February, 2019

In February, the couple made the first wish on the list come true by renewing their wedding vows with Lyla and her siblings – Reece, 14, Olivia, 13, Lilley, 11, Harry, eight, and one-year-old Henry – at the heart of the celebration.

In March, Lyla's inspirational story and attitude has secured her a place on the Pride of Britain Awards shortlist – aim number two.

And third and final wish – a dream holiday to Disneyland Florida for all eight of them – has now been booked.

The couple were overwhelmed at the weekend when the community of Bearpark, near Durham, where they have lived for little more than a year, held a family night in their aid and raised about £1,200.

Organiser Lisa Bennett, who works behind the bar at the venue Bearpark WMC where the event was held, said: “It is a small pit village and we all rally round and help when someone needs it.”

Other fundraisers have included a diamond ring auction by a Jarrow-based jeweller, coffee mornings, a sponsored walk up Roseberry Topping which Mr O’Donovan, Lyla and Harry completed and a boxing event is planned.

Mr O’Donovan said: “What the community in Bearpark pulled off on Saturday was amazing. They did an amazing job and got us over the finish line.

"We have booked it for next February so we have done all we can, we have ticked off the three wishes and it is now closer and closer to being complete. We cannot thank people enough.

“We’ve never wanted to ask for money, we’ve tried to do stuff ourselves to make it happen and I’m really proud when we get messages from people who've been inspired by Lyla – that is what we give back.”