Courage award for meningitis girl

Lydia Cross, from Braunton, Devon, was named a Child of Courage for helping to raise awareness of the disease.

She is taking part in a film for the Meningitis Research Foundation and has been in three television documentaries.

Her mother Jodie Cross said: "Lydia knows this is helping others. She says she wants to do it so other children don't get meningitis."

'Determined'

Lydia had to have both legs amputated just before her third birthday.

She has to undergo surgery every year to trim the bones in her legs until she stops growing.

Denise Vaughan, from the Meningitis Research Foundation, said: "To go through so many operations over the years is bravery of the highest order, especially in one so young."

Lydia's family have begun a petition to take to the Prime Minister calling for awareness of the disease to be raised among NHS workers.

Mrs Cross said: "Lydia has always been very strong-willed and determined. That's one of the reasons she survived the disease.

"She's unbelievably accepting of her situation and will have a go at anything. She's such a brave and beautiful little girl."

Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain lining, or meninges, which can cause serious disability or death.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Inside Out- Lydia's story
Inside Out- Lydia a year on
National Meningitis Trust
Pride of Britain Awards
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites