A COURAGEOUS brain tumour survivor from Glusburn is starring in animated charity video.

Thirteen-year-old girl Tyler Manley, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour four years ago, has appeared in a special animated film by The Children’s Trust aimed at helping children with brain injury get the support they need.

Tyler, who is now a pupil at South Craven School, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in September 2013.

Tyler's mum, Liz Green, said: "I took her took to get her eyes checked because she was seeing bright, flashing lights.

"The opticians saw there was a problem and she was sent to Bradford Royal Infirmary, where two scans confirmed the pressure on her brain stem was caused by a malignant brain tumour (medulloblastoma).

"She was referred to Leeds General Infirmary, where two days later she had surgery which removed most of the tumour," said Liz, who added that a successful course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment followed.

"At the moment, Tyler shows no evidence of the disease but she was left with disabilities," said Liz. "She developed posterior fossa syndrome, because after the surgery all she could do was blink.

"Apparently this is what happens when you have surgery on the brain stem," she said. "Tyler has had to learn to walk and eat again.

"She's courageous, determined, has a strong sense of character and amazes us all considering what she's been through."

And so the "courageous and determined" young girl, who attended Glusburn Primary School at the time, did well to recover and returned to school.

But as Tyler moved to secondary school, her difficulties with memory, fatigue, concentration and balance became more apparent.

"It was a difficult transition to South Craven," admitted Liz, who said that two years into her recovery, she and Tyler's father, James Manley, contacted The Children's Trust.

"They got things moving and helped us get the right support for Tyler. They set up an education, health and care plan which outlines areas where she needs help, and should see her right through school."

The charity's Brain Injury Community Service's (BICS) role is to ensure that children like Tyler receive the right assistance in class and input from local therapy teams so they continue to improve.

So to raise awareness for the charity, Tyler and her mum are starring in an animated film prepared by The Children's Trust, which sees mum and daughter appear as illustrated characters accompanied by a personal recording of their experiences.

The video explains how the BICS offers children with acquired brain injury help after they have been discharged from hospital and at key stages of childhood.

Liz said: “It was great to be able to do something positive and try to help people going through the same things we have been through. It’s been a very difficult few years, and at times it felt like nobody was listening. The Brain Injury Community Service has helped us to access the support Tyler needs, and it’s reassuring to know it’s there when we need it. We’re very grateful to The Children’s Trust for its support.”

Katy James, head of The Children’s Trust BICS, said: “We were thrilled Tyler and Liz wanted to help raise awareness of the service. Things that come naturally to children as they get older, such as getting organised for school, completing tasks or simply fitting in with peer groups, can present real challenges for children with a brain injury. Hopefully this video will enable us to reach lots of other families that need our help.”

To watch the film, visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/BICS