Girl who gave brother the gift of life

Mar 21 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A TEENAGE girl who donated her bone marrow to save her brother’s life was rewarded for her courage yesterday.

Rebekkah Robson, 17, from Berry Edge, Consett, County Durham, volunteered to give bone marrow to her soldier brother Lee, now 29, who had leukaemia.

A search for a donor was made when four courses of chemotherapy failed to cure Lee. Rebekkah, the youngest of five children, and her elder sister Shauna were perfect matches.

But because Shauna was pregnant, Rebekkah volunteered – even though she was just 11 at the time.

After a successful operation at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital Lee is making a good recovery.

Lee, formerly with the Royal Engineers, was diagnosed with the disease after returning from an Army exercise in Kenya.

Yesterday Rebekkah, accompanied by her proud parents Bill and Bernadette, received a Shrievalty Child of Achievement award at a ceremony at Durham Castle.

Funded by The High Sheriff, Durham University, County Durham Foundation and Durham Agency Against Crime, the Shrievalty awards are given to young people to honour their bravery, determination and work in their communities.

They recipients are nominated by family members, youth workers, schools, police and other organisations.

Rebekkah, a student who works as a volunteer at Consett YMCA, hopes to continue her voluntary work abroad with younger children in Australia.

Ian Dewhirst, the 283rd High Sheriff of County of Durham, said: “The Shrievalty Awards recognise a very special group of young people who have s et a fine example to us all. They have made a significant contribution to the community and the award ceremony recognises their special achievements.”

Also receiving an award were a group of teenagers from Durham who presented a musical tribute in memory of a friend killed on active duty in Iraq.

The production by 16 and 17 year olds from mid-Durham’s Making Music Project was entitled Music for the love of Aaron in honour of 18-year-old rifleman Aaron Lincoln, from Sherburn Road, Durham, who was serving with 2nd Batallion The Rifles when he was shot in Basra on April 2 last year.

The production by his friends raised £600 for the “Help the Heroes Fund”.

The group has recorded nine of the songs onto a CD, proceeds from which are going to the fund.