Kiera O'Neill had a life saving bone marrow transplant before she was two years old.

Now three, the Woodhouse girl, was diagnosed with mucopolysaccharidosis -- more commonly known as Hunter's syndrome -- and underwent a bone marrow transplant at Manchester.

Kiera, who is four in January, still regularly needs hospital treatment for the condition, which affects her heart, brain and her joints.

Mother Cath said: "She has been through so much in her short life.

"She was first diagnosed in September 2001 and she had to have a transplant in December.

"But she is going to need more operations.

"We are just going to have to watch how she develops."

She added that Kiera has a leaking heart valve, which will need replacing when it is completely damaged.

She will also need further surgery, -- which is not guaranteed to be successful -- to correct a curve of the spine and on her joints to help improve mobility.

Kiera, who enjoys painting and drawing, was nominated for the award by her grandfather's cousin Ellen Curran, a teaching assistant at Holy Family School.

Ellen said: "Despite all this she is a cheerful and happy child who has amazed hospital staff with her courage and determination."

She added that Kiera had started at St Joseph's Nursery in September and had settled in very well.

Nursery teacher Rebecca Morley said: "Kiera likes to play on the computer and laughs and giggles as the computer talks to her.

"She is also learning to ride a bike during play time."