THE mum of a brave Barrow girl who is facing her second battle with cancer has thanked the community for making Christmas come early.

Emily Mather touched the hearts of many families last year when her family revealed that she had been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour at the age of three.

The youngster spent most of 2017 undergoing treatment at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to battle an ependymoma brain tumour.

Emily, now four, lost the ability to swallow, lost mobility and her speech was affected, but she bravely fought back to regain her independence. Shen then spent three months in America having proton beam therapy.

Despite initial scans showing a positive outlook Emily’s mum Ellen has revealed doctors have found a tumour in Emily’s spine.

Emily underwent a gruelling operation in which surgeons managed to remove the tumour and tests will now be carried out to identify what type of growth it is.

But before she went down to theatre her wish to visit Santa’s Grotto was granted thanks to the kind-hearted community of Barrow.

Emily’s aunt Joanne Durrani had posted a plea on Facebook asking for help to allow Emily to meet Father Christmas ahead of her operation.

In true Barrovian style the social media community pulled together and made sure Emily met Santa not just once but three.

Visits from the man in red saw Emily celebrate Christmas with her big sister Katie while bosses at Hayes Garden Centre opened their doors early especially for the youngster.

Mrs Mather thanked the community for rallying round Emily and helping to grant her wish.

“We are really touched and grateful for the support we have received,” she told The Mail.

Mrs Mather revealed the tumour had been found in Emily’s spine just days after she was given the all-clear following an MRI scan.

The family posted on Facebook on November 15 that an MRI found no tumours but just five days later they described their “heartbreak” after being told doctors spotted a growth on her spine.

They said on the Emily - Sharing is Caring Facebook page: “Emily has relapsed they hadn’t noticed the tumour in her spine at first and were unsure if there was another. We are heartbroken.

“Emily’s had another general anaesthetic today and MRI. Emily will have surgery Thursday or Friday in Manchester.

“We are hoping they can remove the tumour safely and then they will look at what further treatment and radiation Emily can have.”

In a post published this weekend Mrs Mather spoke of her pride in her little girl.

“Emily is so amazing I do not know where she gets her strength from. We are so proud and blessed to be her parents,” she said.