She said: “I’m feeling fine at the moment. It’s really good to be at school with my friends. I really enjoy English because I love writing and using my imagination.

“I like writing poems and it really gave me some inspiration when I was in hospital. I’ve got lots of friends at school – they keep me up and keep me happy. My friends and family really keep me going.

“When I won the award it made me really happy. The award meant that I’d achieved something and I was really proud to receive it.

“I want people to nominate other brave children.”

Mum Terri-Anne said: “Sacha’s strength and determination has been an inspiration to us all. It’s surprising that someone so young should have the courage to get through everything she’s gone through. She’s really shown us the way – and pulled us with her.

“Sometimes in the dark times you really struggle to cope, but you look at Sacha and think ‘If she can get through it, then I can’.

“When she was diagnosed, Sacha felt she had lost control of her life and by shutting down it was a way of taking control back. It was a very frightening first month but we managed to get people to help her and little-by-little she began to return to us.

“She slowly developed sign language to let us know what she wanted, which became drawing and then the written word. Eventually she began to speak a few words again.”

The annual Cancer Research UK Little Star Awards, in partnership with retailer TK Maxx, acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters who have cancer.

Nominated youngsters receive vouchers and a certificate signed by celebrities including Leona Lewis and the Jonas Brothers.

The charity is inviting anyone who knows brave under-18s who are currently battling cancer, or have undergone treatment for the disease in the past five years, to nominate them for a Little Star Award.