A YEAR on from the death of 12-year-old Emma Harrison, her family has raised more than £14,000 for the hospitals where she was treated.

Emma, who was nicknamed Smiler, lost her fight for life on New Year's Eve last year - just three months after first being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Since then, her parents Alison and Paul have been fundraising to raise as much as possible for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury and Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley.

Mrs Harrison said: "This year certainly hasn't been easy, but that's understandable. We've had some really good support from family, friends, the hospital and Derian House.

"We try to keep Emma's outlook on everything, because she was so sunny and positive about life.

"She wouldn't have wanted us to be sitting around moping, she would want us to get on and enjoy life."

Emma, of Neath Fold, Great Lever, was diagnosed with a tumour after complaining of a series of minor headaches, which developed into sickness and double vision.

She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital on September 24, where she was found to be suffering from a brain tumour.

Emma, a pupil at Farnworth's Mount St Joseph's High School, was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital immediately after her diagnosis, and in the first seven weeks of her treatment underwent seven operations. She started her chemotherapy on November 11 and had seven sessions before the treatment was abandoned.

Despite being allowed home on Christmas Eve, Emma had to return to hospital on Christmas Day.

She suffered a stroke, and on New Year's Eve a scan revealed her tumour had grown. Emma died later that day.

The fundraising started immediately after Emma's death, when donations for the two hospitals were collected instead of flowers for her funeral.

A fun day was held at the Bowling Green pub in Halliwell, and a family friend ran the London Marathon to raise money for the appeal.

Emma's family and friends took part in the Gregg's fun run in May, which took place on what would have been her 13th birthday. All donations went to the two charities.

Mrs Harrison's cousin Geoff Leader asked for donations rather than presents for his 50th birthday, and a charity race night was held at the Sunnyside Community Centre.

This year the Harrisons have vowed to make their fundraising efforts even bigger and better.