THE bravery and determination of a Malton teenager was recognised at an annual event organised by the charity Brain Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire at the weekend.

Laura Robertson-Tierney was presented with a young person’s award, while both she and mum Emma received a second award for their bravery and determination.

The 17-year-old, known as Louby, has undergone months of gruelling treatment after being diagnosed with two aggressive brain tumours in April.

She has since undergone months of gruelling treatment, including two major operations as well as weeks of extensive radiotherapy.

Louby, who left hospital on Friday, 200 days after she first went in, has set up an appeal – Louby’s Lifeline – to help fund research and support others whose lives have been devastated by similar circumstances. The appeal is being supported by the Gazette & Herald.

On Saturday, Louby, along with her boyfriend Jaden Thorpe, mum Emma and her partner, Neil Sample, attended the dinner at Thorpe Park Hotel in Leeds.

Carol Robertson, fundraising and charity development manager for Brain Tumour Research and Support, said patients and their families were invited to the annual dinner, which included an award ceremony to recognise individual achievements over the last year.

“It was decided that we would give an award to Laura and her mum for the sheer bravery and determination they have both shown to get through the most difficult of times and how they have supported each other,” she said.

“Laura was given an additional young person’s award for being an inspiration, despite all that has happened to her, because of the type of person she is, her sense of humour and personality have shone through to inspire her friends to fundraise.”

Carol said it had been incredibly touching when Laura received her award.

“When I had finished speaking everyone in the room stood up. Nobody orchestrate it, and it as wonderful to see such a massive standing ovation.”

Emma said that it had been a fantastic evening and Carol had arranged for them to stay at the hotel spa for the weekend.

“The event was wonderful and Carol was amazing and made a wonderful speech about Louby,” she said.

“Louby finally left hospital on Friday – a day for a long time I never thought we would make.”

Emma added that Louby was still receiving a considerable amount of treatment and had this week undergone a further operation on her eye as well as beginning thermal treatment on her throat.

She said: “Louby is under six specialist consultants which we need to see weekly at Leeds General Infirmary and Jimmy’s (St James’s University Hospital, Leeds), as well as physios and dieticians. There is a two-year recovery period, so it is a case of wait and see how everything goes.”

Louby’s Lifeline wristbands and t-shirts are available from the Gazette & Herald office in Yorkersgate, Malton.

Donations, including cheques made payable to Louby’s Lifeline, can also be left at the ofifce.

Alternatively visit www.justgiving.com/loubyslifeline

If you plan to hold an event to help Louby’s Lifeline, phone our reporter Karen Darley on 01653 695600, email maltongazette@gazetteherald.co.uk or call in the Malton office, so we can tell everyone about it.