A TODDLER who has spent most of her short life in hospital after been diagnosed with leukaemia has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.

Jessie Stocks turned three on Saturday. She was diagnosed with leukaemia in January 2016 and has undergone intensive chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

Jessie is now at home, and will have her latest bone marrow test in the next few weeks. Her mum Mel, 38, of Mitchelson Avenue, Dodworth, said Jessie was a lovely little girl who was always smiling.

Although she cannot move, she loves playing with her toys, particularly play dough, and is best friends with her elder sister, Macy, seven.

Mel said: "Jessie is always smiling. She's very cheeky and is a little miss bossy boots. She's a little scallywag, but she's lovely.

"She and Macy are best friends. In fact it was Macy who got Jessie to talk for the first time. Macy also helps me out a lot. She's had a tough time, she's missed out on so much.

"I will tell Jessie about the nomination, I'm not sure she will fully understand, but I'm sure she will be happy."

Jessie had been a happy and healthy baby who was doing well until she was about nine months old. She became grouchy and had flu-like symptoms, and Mel took Jessie to the doctors almost every week for several months. She was initially told she was an overprotective mother, and in all Mel had to take Jessie to medics more than 50 times before she was diagnosed with cancer.

When the leukaemia was eventually diagnosed, Jessie started chemotherapy immediately. She had to have various tubes fitted for medication and feeding.

Jessie underwent intensive high-dose chemotherapy, and then later a batch of extremely high dose. But Mel and Jessie's dad Sam were then told a bone marrow transplant was the only hope, and thankfully a donor was found.

But Jessie has suffered several complications from the transplant and side effects from the chemotherapy.

Do you know someone deserving of a Proud of barnsley award? You can e-mail your nominations to lynsey.bradford@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk - please include your name, address and phone number. Please also include the name, address and phone number of the person you are nominating, the category you are nominating them in and why. Paper copies of the entry form can be picked up in the Barnsley Chronicle reception and electronic copies of the form can be e-mailed out upon request.Please ask the person/group for permission to nominate them for an award before putting them forward.