A Blantyre schoolgirl in remission from leukaemia has been chosen as one of 5 young inspirations for a poem about courage, written by former children’s laureate Joseph Coelho.
Five-year-old Fearne Stewart, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia—a type of cancer affecting white blood cells—in April 2023, when she was just four years old.
In the weeks leading up to her diagnosis, Fearne experienced symptoms such as bruising, leg pain that made walking difficult, extreme fatigue, and, on the day of her referral, a purple rash on her skin.
Now in remission, brave Fearne has started primary school and is expected to complete her chemotherapy in 2025.
The other young participants include Saif Mubarak, 9, from London; Lily Bincliffe, 8, from Oxfordshire; Stanley Goodall, 5, from Berkshire; and Benny Waters, 9, from the North West of England.
Coelho asked each child to share what courage looks and feels like to them, drawing on their experiences to craft the poem Courage Looks Like Me.
Congratulations Fearne! You’re a special wee girl , putting Blantyre on the map and we’re sure all our readers will join us in saying well done and wishing you a wonderful Christmas!
