She’s just nine years old but Chloe Gambrill is a leading light when it comes to coping with cancer.

Chloe, of Dumpton Park Road, Ramsgate, has just picked up the Young Supporter of the Year at Cancer Research UK’s Flame of Hope Awards, which recognise efforts in fund-raising and volunteering.

Her mum Kelly, dad Darren and brother Charlie, 11, watched proudly as Chloe received the accolade.

Three years ago, Chloe signed up to take part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life in honour of her grandmother Wendy Parrish, who had died of breast cancer a year earlier.

Chloe and her family had no idea that just a few weeks later she would be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Despite starting an intensive course of chemotherapy and having an operation just three days before the race, Chloe was determined to take part.

She was so weak she collapsed part way round the course but refused to give up as she was worried if she did not cross the finishing line she would lose her £100 sponsorship money.

Kelly, Darren and Charlie took turns to carry her around the course and helped her walk over the finish line.

Chloe is now in remission after 27 months of gruelling treatment including intravenous chemotherapy which made her hair fall out twice.

She was regularly too weak to go to school, spent time in a wheelchair, suffered constant nausea and headaches and pain so severe she was given morphine.

Chloe’s awards