Brave youngster Evie Hodgson has finally undergone a life-saving bone marrow transplant after one last "twist in the tale" saw the delivery of the stem cells delayed.

Evie, eight, from Sleights near Whitby, began preparations for the transplant earlier this year and has now finally been given the "magic stem cells".

It's not been an easy journey for Evie and her family, who were devastated in August 2020 when a potential donor pulled out at the last minute, and they faced another sudden bump in the road prior to her receiving her first round of treatment today (Friday).

The operation for the eight-year-old was scheduled for 2pm yesterday (Thursday) at The Great Northern Children's Hospital in Newcastle but the cells got stuck in London after coronavirus "caused major issues to the flight schedule".

It meant that Evie and her family had to wait another day for the operation to go ahead, but her mother Tina gave an update today to say that they were "up and running" after what had been an "emotional experience".

She said earlier today: "We have fought so hard to get to this point and Evie is so happy. It really is wonderful.

"Evie's hero donated a phenomenal amount of stem cells so she gets two sittings. The second one will be around dinner time so she gets to do it all again."

The courageous pupil at Fyling Hall School, in Robin Hood's Bay, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, also known as bone marrow failure, last year during the start of the covid-19 pandemic.

The youngster captured the attention of the nation when her perfect donor pulled out at the last minute and her transplant hopes were dashed.

But Evie revealed it was " the best Christmas present ever" to find another donor in December.

The family have thanked everybody who has supported them, shared Evie's story and signed up to the stem cell register following their inspirational campaign.

You can join on the DKMS register, here, or through Anthony Nolan register, here.

A dedicated Facebook page has been set up to follow Evie's journey with aplastic anaemia, which you can follow here.

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Brave Evie Hodgson from Sleights finally has bone marrow transplant after one last 'twist in the tale' - Yorkshire Live