Norwich girl with leukaemia sees Disney dream come true

Amelia-Rose Houseago, seven, who lives in Queen's Hill, Costessey, with mum Dani, twin brother Alfie and dad Nigel, was diagnosed with the disease at four after a blood test for arthritis, which she developed at two.

According to Dani, Amelia-Rose had previously shown no signs of the disease, but did bruise easily however this was put down to the fact she was a young child. 

Dani said: "When we found out about Amelia's disease it was just a normal day, we were waiting for my car to be fixed and we were just sitting there chatting and listening to music.

Amelia-Rose Houseago on the carousel at the event (Image: Rich Hanson/Still Moving for Disney)READ MORE: New bakery to open in city centre store which has been empty for two years

"Then we got a phone call saying she needed to be rushed to Addenbrooks and I just burst into tears. I was in complete shock but I had to keep calm because her brother was there and I needed to drive to the hospital.

"Then Covid hit and she couldn't see her brother and dad while she was in hospital, so that made things even tougher."

Dani says the family's life is currently dominated by hospital appointments and she has even had to give up her job at the Food Warehouse in Hall Road Retail Park to care for Amelia-Rose.

Amelia-Rose Houseago with twin brother Alfie alongside Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse (Image: Rich Hanson/Still Moving for Disney)

But a call from Make A Wish brought light into their lives, when they found out Amelia-Rose's oncology nurse had put her forward for their immersive Disney experience.

The nurse had seen how Amelia-Rose had watched Disney films on repeat during her treatment and put her forward for the event at the Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire, which saw the hotel taken over by characters from Mickey Mouse to Winnie The Pooh.

Amelia-Rose Houseago with Donald Duck and Daisy Duck (Image: Rich Hanson/Still Moving for Disney)

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Dani added: "We couldn't believe it, we had no idea and we're so thankful to her and all of the staff at the hospitals in Norwich and Cambridge who've been brilliant.

"She was speechless the whole time, they were really warm and welcoming and we saw so many amazing shows.

"She loves Minnie Mouse and met her wearing a special outfit of the character, it was a dream come true for her."