A young girl who fell ill on holiday and spent ten weeks in hospital, has managed to get home in time for her birthday.

Emily Bridges, now 11, ended up in intensive care after contracting E.coli while visiting Hurghada, Egypt, back in June.

Her organs began to shut down just 24 hours after landing back in the UK after symptoms were originally misdiagnosed as gastroenteritis by a hotel doctor.

She was diagnosed with hemolytic-uremic syndrome, a condition which causes kidney failure and the body to destroy red blood cells, and now spends 10 hours a day on dialysis.

Her mum, Rachel Bridges is thankful she’s made it home: “This morning she woke up in her own bed on her 11th birthday, which at times I didn’t think she’d see.

“I lost my husband to leukaemia six years ago and I never thought I’d have to go through anything like that again but this was so much worse, it was such a traumatic experience.

“I’m just so thankful she’s home.”

Emily had more than 1,000 heart attacks when she was on life support and countless fits, but recovered enough to be sent home.

She spent her birthday with family and friends, having her nails painted, going to the cinema and enjoying a meal.

In September it is hoped she will be well enough to start at Sittingbourne Community College.

Family friend Jayne Russon set up a gofundme page which managed to raise more than £1,300 to help the family though their hospital stay.

Mum Rachel, 43, said it has really helped: “We’ve had to pay to live in London for 10 weeks while she was in hospital, and have family travel back and forward to see her, it’s been so useful to have that money to help.”

Emily now must live off restricted fluids of just 800ml per day, with the prospect of needing a kidney transplant in the future in the likelihood hers don’t recover.

Rachel, who lives in Queenborough, added: “There were times she was just so down and depressed and I’m so proud of her that she’s coping so well now.

“We just want to put this behind us and move forward with our lives.”