Brave author Hannah, ten, loses battle with cancer

AN inspirational schoolgirl who wrote a book to help other sick children has died after losing her battle with cancer.

• Hannah Bostock had a rare genetic condition

Ten-year-old Hannah Bostock, from Armadale, West Lothian, passed away in her mother Diane's arms at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

She had been bravely battling Congenital Melanocytic Naevi (CMN), a rare genetic condition which led to cancerous tumours in her brain and spine.

Despite her illness, the St Anthony's Primary pupil proved to be a constant source of inspiration to Diane and the rest of the family, who described her as a "little star".

Today Diane, 39, paid tribute to her daughter, who she said had given her the "most wonderful" ten years of her life.

She said: "Hannah made me complete and made me the person I am today. She had wisdom beyond her years and was truly my soulmate, best friend and daughter. She taught me about real love with no conditions. We were a team and always will be."

Diane, a psychiatric nurse at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, added: "Hannah would never want her life to be defined by her condition. The biggest legacy she can leave is raising awareness, educating and promoting further research into CMN, especially within the medical profession where I found little or nothing was known about Hannah's condition."

During Hannah's short life she was put forward to charity Make-A-Wish Foundation and it was her wish to write and publish a book. The Foundation worked with Egmont publishers to turn Hannah's story into a fully-illustrated children's book called Scary But Happy.

The book is about a little girl called Sue Singer whose scientist father invents a machine that allows a monster called Woopey to come to life.

Woopey causes havoc in the community and the army is eventually called in to deal with the situation.

Hannah's family are now selling the book in her memory, with the proceeds being donated to ward two at the Sick Kids. Hannah had a number of operations at the hospital in her short life.

Her aunt, Arlene Duff, 44, who lives in Livingston, said: "Hannah took about six days to write her book, she didn't put her pencil down and knew exactly what she was doing.

"She was even talking to me a week past Saturday about her next book about a half-monster/half-human Egyptian.

"She was such a brave girl and I feel honoured to have her as my niece. She will always be an inspiration to me and my memories will be with me forever."

Hannah, who died last Monday, loved music and was delighted when charity Rays of Sunshine invited her to attend the Sunshine Concert in London in March as a special guest, where she met her "music heroes" JLS, as well as Olly Murs, Tinchy Stryder and George Sampson.

Diane said: "I am so grateful to all my family, friends and all the medical team who have cared for Hannah - some of them over several years."

Head of wish granting at Make-A-Wish Foundation, Joanne Micklewright, said: "Make-A-Wish Foundation UK was very sorry to hear that Hannah had passed away; it was a real pleasure to be able to make her wish come true."

• To order a copy of Hannah's book, call Arlene on 07748 300 800, e-mail charity@seanduff photography.com or visit www.seanduffphotography.com.