A Fowlmere woman has spoken of her pride for her courageous young daughter who battled through 14 radiotherapy sessions, five chemotherapy regimes, two surgeries and seven CT scans.

Royston Crow: Eilish on holidayEilish on holiday (Image: Archant)

Eilish Mulholland was just four years old when she died from cancer in October, but precious beads she collected helped her through her treatment.

Her mother Angela said: “Eilish was so bright and bubbly.

“She loved swimming and gymnastics and had lovely curly blond hair and big brown eyes.

“She always had a smile on her face, that’s how everybody remembers her.”

Eilish was admitted to hospital in October 2013 because of concern over her high temperature. Just a few days later, doctors confirmed she had a tumour on her right kidney.

During the next 12 months, Eilish went through a number of intense treatments, but Angela said her daughter’s bravery never wavered.

She said: “When she lost her hair, she was very matter of fact about it. We bought her a pink headscarf and she didn’t bat an eyelid. She used to take it off and she didn’t care, it was more of a shock for people who were used to seeing her lovely blond curly hair.”

Between treatments, Eilish managed to go to school for four days, and was granted a wish to visit Peppa Pig World by the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity.

Angela said: “We were so proud of her for going to school with her friends. She did so well.”

Eilish collected a series of beads each time she underwent treatment such as a scan or test as part of the Beads of Courage programme. These beads will be put on show at the spring art exhibition which is being hosted at Fowlmere Primary School in The Butts from Friday, May 8, to Sunday, May 10.

Angela said: “She used to love putting the beads into a little pot. She was so proud of them.

“When you see the beads laid out, you realise how much she went through.”

Angela and husband Steve have two sons, seven-year-old Paul and Aidan, aged nine months.