The news hit everybody hard indeed, especially her family.

Since the diagnosis Annie has stunned everybody with her bravery and amazing attitude towards both daily treatment and weekly tests, which has sometimes been very hard indeed.

It is a year since radiotherapy and steroids were completed but she continues with chemotherapy, at least until January, when the next scan is scheduled.

She looks fabulous.! the photos here also portray the fact that her sense of humour and fun is still intact!

On learning that only 1% of general cancer charities' money goes specifically to brain tumour research, her family have attempted to raise awareness by the sale of hoodies.

These hoodies have the "Head to Head" logo with a message of support to Annie, and our young friend Hannah. All the money raised goes to her umbrella account at "Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust" (Hannah Louise Jones).

On Sunday, 16/11/2009 Hannah was awarded a prestigious BBC Switch Live Teen Hero award. Here she is pictured with JLS.

The sale of the hoodies continues to thrive and now is your chance to have a moment of glory!

When your wearing your hoodie with pride, have your photo taken, email it to Lynn and we'll show them here in our gallery for all to see. (Dont forget to have your hair done first!)

Hoodies are available in almost every colour and size and can be "over the head" or zipper in style.

Contact Lynn by e-mail or via the salon.

Lynn continues to thank her loyal and valued customers and points out that she is now starting to "edge" back into work slowly. Ask in the salon for details.

A BIG thank you again.

FUND RAISING IN TESCO

On Sunday 7th March we were offered Tesco homestore in Bromborough to do an awareness day in their foyer.

We collected £96 in a couple of hours and considering you cant "rattle ya buckets" we think we did very well.

We managed to get professional equipment from SDBTT and obviously wore our hoodies so hopefully raised some awareness...

The one thing that touched and amazed us most though was the number of people we talked to whose life has been affected by brain tumours!!

PARTY RAISES £1300 FOR THE CAUSE

On the 26th February 2010 we arranged a party in Bebington.

Annies party raised an amazing £1300 and a big thank you must go to everybody who attended. It was a brilliant night and everybody commented on how much they enjoyed themselves.

The three bands who played, The Talismen (Rythm& Blues), The Undertakers (Soul), and Rosie (solo folk artist) were fantastic and, considering the age range of people there, went down a storm.

The brilliant raffle prizes included a bike, white water rafting vouchers, food processor (!) and a "name the teddy" donated by Tesco.

ANNIE GETS HER "WISH"

Annie was granted a wish by the 'Make A Wish' foundation after loads of form filling and interviews.

All the family were taken to London by train on Sunday. A visit to Hamleys, of course, and dinner at 'The Rainforest Cafe', then on to Covent Garden for some steet entertainment and coffee.

The next day we were picked up by a pink stretch limmo and had a 2 hour tour of London. On to Eltham Palace in Greenwich where Cheryl Cole was filming her new release 'Pararchute' off her album '3 Words'. This was a total new experience for all of us .. Being actually on the film set and Annie just plonking herself down on the directors chair !!! After being in interviews Cheryl came over to Annie, she sat next to her and after being introduced to all they chatted naturally. Annie presented her with a beautiful bouquet and she signed what Annie had prepared. Cheryl was lovely, personable and beautiful.

After a while she was whisked away by her management and director of the day. They had to stay on schedule for filming but we were not to leave, we stayed on set until 5pm and watched her dancers rehearse and finally, when Cheryl was completely transformed, they start filming the video.

That evening we were taken back to the hotel in the pink limo. A trip to Madam Tussauds was arranged for us the next morning which was fab. Annies favourite was..... The Queen!!

That afternoon we travelled home. Annies 'Wish' complete.

So, when you see the video of 'Parachute'. Just remember 'Annie was there' !!!!!

BRAVE ANNIE TAKES ON CHARITY CHALLENGE

On Wednesday, 2nd December 2009 Annie appeared in the Wirral News. The clipping is reproduced her and to read the full article for yourself you can click on the image to expand it to a readable size.

If you prefer, you can also click HERE to see the article on the Wirral News website.

For those amongst us with less than 20/20 vision we have provided a transcipt of the wording....

"A BRAVE Bebington youngster has raised thousands of pounds for charity while battling a brain tumour.

Annie Kell was just two weeks into her first term at Bebington High Sports College when she was diagnosed with a brain stem tumour.

The 12-year-old had suffered headaches and sickness but doctors told her parents Lynn and Mike it was probably caused by hormones or the stress of starting a new school.
The tumour was discovered at a routine sight test carried out by New Ferry optician Peter McMullen.

Since the diagnosis last September Annie has endured two operations and radiotherapy.
She is now receiving daily oral chemotherapy and will have another scan in January.
Annie has taken on the fundraising challenge after meeting another family during her treatment who were raising money for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, a charity dedicated to funding research into brain tumours.

Currently only 1% of cancer research spending is used for brain tumours.

Lynn, 46, says her inspirational daughter has “defied the odds” and is spurring friends and family on to fundraise. She said: “When we were going to Clatterbridge for Annie’s treatment we met another mum and daughter and became really good friends with them.
“The daughter Hannah, 16, was having hooded tops made with the charity’s head to head logo and Annie told me she’d like to do that. So far we’ve raised nearly £1,000 from selling her hoodies.

“We also did the Race for Life in July and Annie raised £145, more than any of her family and friends.”

Encouraged by his daughter, dad Mike is taking on the Three Peaks Challenge with ten friends.

Support has also come from Annie’s old primary school, Church Drive in Port Sunlight.
Hairdresser Lynn said the family had been boosted by the backing of clients and staff at her business, Revival at LK Hair in Old Chester Road, Bebington. She said: “Annie does what she can and it depends on her blood levels and how she’s feeling. But it’s always her in the background saying “Can we do this? What if we do that? Dad, can’t you do something? “She’s been helping me contact people for donations and she’s managed to nag a family friend into giving a donation of £100! “I haven’t been able to work for over 12 months but the clients have been a massive support and I can’t thank everyone enough.

“Her brother Will, 14, has also been a tremendous support to her and is very protective.” Annie’s bravery has seen her nominated to have a wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity which makes dreams come true for children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. Annie’s wish is to meet singer Cheryl Cole and Girls Aloud.

Lynn said: “Annie has basically defied the odds. Some days are good, some days are bad and she is tolerating treatment – “tolerating” is probably the best way to describe it. “There can be two or three lots of needles to take blood but she just gets on with it. “She’s never complained and she’s been so brave.”

Follow Annie’s progress and find out how to buy one of her hoodies on her page at www.revivalatlkhair.biz"

BRAVE ANNIE IS THEIR LITTLE STAR

Annie's media persona continues to grow and our own little superstar appeared in the Liverpool Echo on 2nd February 2010. The clipping is reproduced her and to read the full article for yourself you can click on the image to expand it to a readable size.

If you prefer, you can also click HERE to see the article on the Liverpool Echo website.

For those amongst us who could do with a visit to the optician we have provided a transcipt of the wording....

"A WIRRAL youngster who is fighting an inoperable brain tumour has received an award for her courage from a cancer charity.

Annie Kell, 12, from Bebington, has received a Little Star award from Cancer Research UK.

Annie’s mum, Lynn Kell, nominated her brave daughter for the accolade.

The youngster has had 30 doses of radiotherapy at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, followed by chemotherapy but still has abnormalities and faces further scans.

Cancer Research UK’s Jane Bullock, said: “Annie richly deserves this accolade.”

ANNIE IS A LITTLE STAR

Is there no end to Annie's Media appearances?? Here we've reproduced a piece about Annie in the Wirral Globe on the 16th February 2010.

"A WIRRAL schoolgirl fighting an inoperable brain tumour has been awarded for her courage by Cancer Research UK.

Annie Kell was diagnosed just weeks after a family holiday two years ago.

Continuing to smile despite her ordeal, the 12-year-old, from Bebington, has received a Little Star award. The awards, organised in partnership with TK Maxx, are for youngsters like Annie, who encounter cancer.

Annie's mum, Lynn, nominated her brave daughter for the accolade. She said: "The past 15 months have been hard for the whole family, but we have made every effort to remain positive and to look to the future."

Annie was on holiday with her family in Spain in 2008 when she started to complain of feeling unwell. She was also having headaches, which her GP initially blamed on stress and anxiety about starting secondary school the following month.By September, Annie was regularly being sick before going to her new school in the mornings.

As a last resort, mum Lynn booked an appointment with the local optician. He immediately spotted an abnormality behind the eye and Annie was referred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Annie underwent surgery to have a shunt fitted to relieve the pressure being placed on her brain and a biopsy revealed she had an inoperable tumour on the brainstem. She then faced 30 doses of radiotherapy treatment at the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology followed by chemotherapy which she has taken in oral form at home for 15 months.

Annie only completed nine days of secondary school before being diagnosed with the tumour and has been tutored at home ever since.

Her most recent scan revealed there are still abnormalities in the brainstem and she will now face a couple of months without any treatment whatsoever before a follow-up scan in the spring.

Her 14-year-old brother Will received a Cancer Research UK Little Star sibling certificate for his bravery throughout Annie's treatment and for helping their parents to remain strong.

Mum Lynn runs her own hairdressing business and has given up work for the past 12 months to look after Annie full-time. She said: "As a parent you know your own child and when Annie was complaining of such bad headaches, we knew there was a problem and it wasn't simply anxiety about starting a new school.

"Knowing she isn't going to be taking any medication now for two months makes me feel very anxious, but we have to put our trust in the experts and try and feel optimistic about her scan in March."

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK's spokeswoman in the North West, said: "Annie is a true 'Little Star' who richly deserves this accolade."

The charity is inviting anyone who knows other brave under-18s who are currently battling cancer, or have undergone treatment for the disease in the past five years, to nominate them for a Little Star Award. Only one nomination per child is necessary. Each and every child nominated will receive the accolade and their siblings will also receive a special certificate in recognition of the support they give. Unlike other children's awards, there is no judging panel because Cancer Research UK and TK Maxx believe every child who encounters cancer is extra special.

Youngsters will receive the Little Star award, and a certificate signed by celebrities including Leona Lewis, American heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers and athletics phenomenon Usain Bolt. Other celebrities backing the awards include Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity and Tracey Beaker actress Dani Harmer."