Teen struggling to walk had tumour on her spine

Now family are fundraising to take Lilly on 'dream holiday' to Jamaica

- Thomas Cooper

A SCHOOLGIRL underwent a 16-hour operation after being struck down with a rare bone tumour.

Lilly Ferneyhough was diagnosed with epithelioid osteoblastoma in June.

The benign growth is noncancerous. But it can put mobility at risk - particularly when it develops on the spine.

Lilly's parents became concerned when they noticed their 16-year-old daughter was having difficulty walking. Now they have launched an online appeal to raise money for a holiday.

Mum Janeine Craik, of Tunstall, said: "It all started when Lilly couldn't walk very well all of a sudden.

I had to help her just to get into the car. I knew something wasn't right. So we took her to A&E at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.