BRAVE brain tumour victim Emily Rhodes has fulfilled her dreams of a visit to Whitby after recovering from a chest infection.

The 22-year-old flew home to York from Australia last month to meet up with friends and relatives for one final time after well-wishers raised £8,000 to help fund the trip.

Emily, formerly of the Monkton Road area, who emigrated with her family to Perth four years ago, has spoken previously of how much it meant to be back where she grew up and be with all her friends.

York Press:

She said she felt ‘humbled and overwhelmed’ by everyone’s support prior to attending a big reunion party with friends and relatives at a York club earlier this month.

She said she really wanted to go to the coastal town during her visit to York as she had always loved it as a youngster, but the trip was in doubt after she fell ill with a chest infection last week and was put on antibiotics and told to rest.

However, her mother Joanne said yesterday she had been doing really well and so they decided to go to the coast for the day on Sunday, when the sun was shining.

“Emily had a really lovely day,” she said.

“We took it easy and ate fish and chips on the harbour. Emily’s got a spark that I’ve not seen for a long time.”

Meanwhile, Philip Bret , a friend of Emily’s father Martin, has been on a sponsored 24 hour roller skate around York to raise more money for Emily’s fund.

Joanne said he started from the Minster at 6.30pm on Saturday and continued through the night and next day.

Fundraising activities for Emily over the months have already included a family fun day at New Earswick Sports Club, a special fundraising day held at Bell Farm social hall and a raffle, with the winner getting to choose a phrase to be tattooed.

Joanne revealed that she had also had a tattoo with the same phrase, “Spread a little sparkle wherever you go,’ on her forearm on Saturday by tattoo artist Zak Turner, of Ruby Hearts in Blossom Street, along with the image of a fairy and fairy dust.

Joanne said:”Zak even allowed Emily to tattoo the pink fairy dust on me, which was amazing for her.”

Emily is due to return to Australia on Sunday.