A "courageous" six-year-old will properly experience Christmas for the first time after three years battling cancer.

Penelope Gribben, from Watford, was diagnosed with ALL leukaemia when she was just three years old, and has spent the last few festive seasons in and out of hospital.

But on June 9 the “strong, independent, determined” Holy Rood Catholic Primary School pupil rang the bell in Watford General Hospital to mark the end of her treatment.

Then on October 27 she rang the bell at Great Ormond Street Hospital as her medical port was taken out.

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It means Penelope, mum Athena, dad Lee, and sister Florence, 10, will be able to fully enjoy Christmas together after years of not being able to.

Athena Lenas-Gribben said: “It was always touch and go to whether she would be with her sister at home for Christmas.

“We were also unable to see our family and friends due to high risk of Covid. Penelope spent all her time between hospital and home.

"There were no trips out, she couldn’t even go to our local park.”

Watford Observer:

This year the family have made sure she will enjoy “eating and playing games with our wonderful friends”.

There was already “a special moment for the whole family” yesterday (December 8) as Penelope played an angel and the innkeeper’s wife in her school nativity.

Headteacher Emma Braund said: “We are all beyond proud of our courageous and fearless Penelope.

“Penelope performed with such enthusiasm and confidence - we were all blown away.

“The staff and children of Holy Rood have been with Penelope and her family every step of this journey and know that this Christmas is going to be a very special one for them all.”

Watford Observer:

Athena thanked hospital nurses, particularly Dianne Wotton, for making Penelope’s Christmases special even while she received treatment following her “traumatic” leukaemia diagnosis.

“Our wonderful community play nurse, Dianne, made sure that as soon as Penelope was up to it she arranged several Christmas play sessions at home,” she added.

“Penelope made Christmas decorations, beautiful cards for her friends and played party games."

They also thanked the “amazing resource” children’s charity Starlight for providing toys and inviting her to the Pineapple Dance Studios in London.

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