BACK from the holiday of a lifetime, little Jade Case had no idea of the fantastic news awaiting her.

For when the five-year-old schoolgirl returned to Alder Hey Childrens Hospital after a two-week sunshine break - made possible by donations from caring people in St Helens - specialists told her that the remaining 'shadow' on her spine had completely disappeared.

In April this year after intensive chemotherapy doctors at Alder Hey confirmed that tests had revealed that Jade was clear of cancer cells, but there was still concern about this shadow on her spine.

But now Jade, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma (stomach cancer) last year, has been given the all-clear. Although she will have to return to Alder Hey on a regular basis to make sure that the tumour doesn't flare up again.

Jade's delighted mum, Dawn, said: "Thanks to the generosity of the people of St Helens we were able to a have a fantastic family holiday in Cala Llonga, Ibiza.

"And then to put the icing on the cake we were given the splendid news about the shadow when we returned home. Doctors had told us that there were no more cancer cells before we went away, but there was still a niggling doubt as a result of the shadow on Jade's spine - but now everything's clear, it's unbelievable."

Dawn, from Singleton Avenue, Blackbrook, continued: "I must thank everyone in St Helens who helped us to raise the money to take Jade on holiday and I want to let them know that it has done her the world of good. She had a smashing time and joined in all the activities with the rest of the kids.

"Jade has been through a lot over the last 12 months and it is amazing how she has coped, both my husband Phil and I think she has shown remarkable courage for one so young."

Dawn and Phil are still collecting stamps to raise funds for research into neuroblastoma. Anyone who would like to help can send used stamps to Dawn and Phil Case at 20 Singleton Avenue, Blackbrook, St Helens WA11 9DA.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.