Girl battling rare cancer switches on Christmas lights

A BRAVE five-year-old from Consett with a rare form of cancer has switched on the Christmas lights at County Hall in Durham city. Durham County Council extended an invite to Bonnie-Leigh Spence and her family, asking her to light up their special Christmas tree.

- OWEN YOUNGER

> Coun Jackie Teasdale, left, with Bonnie and her family

Bonnie was diagnosed with rare soft tissue cancer rhabdoid sarcoma shortly after turning five last December, and her family were told it had spread to her lungs and is terminal. She has since undergone several gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, as well as having major surgery to amputate her left arm from above the elbow.