Covid-19 spike forces Hartlepool dad to cancel a 'princess walk' for his brave daughter

Paul O’Donovan, who comes from Hartlepool, had organised the walk to go ahead this Sunday to raise money for families with seriously ill children.

Paul’s own daughter Lyla recently had a 10th operation on her brain and Paul planned to walk the whole of the route – from his current home in Ushaw Moor to the Angel of the North – dressed as Princess Aurora.

Other participants were encouraged to don Disney dress as well but the event has been put on hold and Paul explained: “We’ve decided to postpone the planned walk at the weekend due to the increase numbers of Covid-19 in the North East.

"We don’t want anyone at risk of potentially catching Covid and have to protect Lyla.”

Just yesterday, the Hartlepool Mail told how, in the week to September 6, the town had 41 confirmed cases of the virus compared to 12 the previous week.

And there is an extra reason why Lyla’s family are determined to keep her safe.

She faces a visit to specialists in Bristol for further tests early next month.

Paul said: “We don’t want to risk that being cancelled.”

Lyla’s latest surgery at Newcastle’s RVI hospital on Friday, May 22, was carried out to try to reduce the number of dangerous and frightening seizures she regularly suffers.

Back in May, Paul ran 18 miles from Durham to the Royal Victoria Infirmary to thank the health team which has always been there for his daughter.

But this time, the risk was too great for the walk to go ahead. Paul said: “The team are gutted and will definitely do this walk when it is safe.”

Paul, also dad to Henry, Olivia, Lilley and Reece, documents Lyla’s ups and downs on the Facebook page Lyla's Brain Tumour Journey.

Her courage has helped many people going through hard times themselves, and Lyla and Lilley have awarded hundreds of their own certificates to them.

Lyla is well known to Hartlepool Mail readers after winning a Child of Courage trophy at last year’s Best of Hartlepool Awards.

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