THE overwhelmed parents of Emily Andrews couldn’t believe it when their brave five-year-old was awarded the Charity Champion Award.

Suffering from seizures from as early as 10 months old, Emily Andrew, from Sutton Leach, was diagnosed with epilepsy.

She became a regular patient at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where Doctors agreed the best way forward was through surgery, and the Eaves Primary School pupil underwent an intense operation in April in an attempt to stop the seizures for good.

St Helens Star: EmilyEmily (Image: Dave Gillespie)

Fortunately, it seems to have been a great success - and she has now not had one in more than six months.

Due to the inspiring work of neurologists, doctors, and nurses at Alder Hey, her family set about fundraising for the Epilepsy Service.

In total, the family raised just over £10,000 with her cheering them on.

A very tired but proud Emily said: “It’s nice, I have two trophies now, this one and one for horse riding.

“I’m happy [to get the award].”

Her proud mum Jess Andrews, 28, said: “We are so happy, we didn’t even expect to be nominated so for her to win is just amazing.

“When you have to let doctors take your child into theatre, not knowing if when you see her again she’ll remember us or that it would work was absolutely the worst day of our lives.

“None of us had ever been through anything like it, but she inspired everyone to do what they could and we raised so much money for the Epilepsy Service as a family all because of Emily.

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“She makes us so proud anyway but to win this award, I hope she can look back on it and see what she made happen.”

Dad Ian, 31, added: “Carrying Emily up to the stage to accept the award was a crazy feeling and it’s just overwhelming that people nominated her for all she’s done inspiring others. We can’t say we are proud of her enough really. She’s very sleepy right now but very proud.”