A LITTLE ray of sunshine from Glanaman has the entire valley in support as she takes the first steps in her battle with leukaemia.

Three-year-old Hannah Poole, of Cwmamman Road, was taken to the Heath Hospital, Cardiff, on Friday, November 29, after being diagnosed with Type B of the disease.

The battling Ysgol y Bedol nursery pupil has already undergone one operation to deliver chemotherapy direct to her chest, received a lumbar puncture in her spine and had tests on her bone marrow.

“She has been really good,” said grandmother Tracy, who is looking after Hannah’s sisters Katie, aged nine, and Lucy, three months, as well as brother Luke, aged eight.

“She has taken it all in her stride.

“Hannah is a lovely little girl – a real ray of sunshine.

“She is a blonde bombshell who knows her own mind and can be very feisty so there is no way she won’t fight this disease with everything she has.”

Hannah was only diagnosed with the disease after mum Katrina noticed she was struggling to get over a chest infection.

Dad Adam, a computer programmer, was working in Germany at the time of the diagnosis and raced home to be at his daughter’s side, arriving at the hospital at the same time as Hannah and Katrina.

With the whole of the Amman Valley offering their support to the family, Hannah’s great-aunts Kari and Sam have organised the first of a series of fundraising events to help cover the family’s expenses during treatments.

“Katrina is staying with the Latch charity in Cardiff,” said Tracy, “but obviously there is going to be a lot of travelling back and for.”

The first event is a fundraising night for kids and adults at Garnant Constitutional Club on December 30.

The event, which will have an auction, raffles, face-painting, music and more, starts from 5.30pm and costs £5 for adults and £2 for youngsters.