'My 7-year-old is adjusting to life after chemo'

A seven-year-old girl who has been raising awareness of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has rung the bell to mark the end of her chemotherapy.

Meredith, from Bournemouth, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma a week before starting school in August 2023 and gained thousands of social media followers by sharing her story.

Her mum, Kate, said: "Cancer has been her life for two-and-a-half years and so now, as a family, we're adjusting to life."

Creating videos explaining how to swallow tablet medication and about finger prick blood tests or nose swabs, Meredith showed other children that they do not need to be scared.

"I spent a lot of time in hospital so I missed school, I did miss my friends but they sent me lots of cards and visited me," Meredith told BBC Radio Solent.

Kate said her daughter was brave and she proudly watched as she dealt with day-to-day life on chemotherapy, the side-effects and the difficult procedures.

Meredith was a finalist in the Young Hero category in the BBC Radio Solent Make a Difference Awards for 2025 and was recognised for her positive impact on the community.

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands in your body
• The lymphatic system is part of your immune system
• In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, white blood cells known as lymphocytes start to multiply in an abnormal way
• The affected lymphocytes lose their ability to fight infections
• The most common symptom is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin

The family have founded a charity called Meredith's Mission that supports children and their loved ones facing childhood cancer.

"I think we just could see how much it impacted the family dynamic, from parents to siblings and grandparents," Kate said.

"Through this charity we just want to provide more wraparound support for the family as a whole whilst their children undergo treatment."

She said the services the charity provided included one-to-one music therapy after being discharged from hospital, making sure there were local events for families and some financial support.