'Stay safe gorgeous girl': Just one of the messages of love which have poured in for a little girl awaiting a brain operation

Lyla O’Donovan, and her dad Paul O'Donovan.

We told how Lyla O’Donovan, 7, was left heartbroken when her dad Paul, from Hartlepool, had to tell her she would not be having surgery because of the Coronavirus.

Paul encouraged people to share messages of love with Lyla to raise her spirits and they did it in style.

One, from Sylvia Huntington, said: “May God protect you and keep you safe till you can have your operation xxxx"

Lyla O’Donovan who has been sent messages of love from Hartlepool Mail readers.

Pauline P. Abbott commented: “Be strong as a family. Pray it will not be long before Lyla can have her op, when every trace of the virus has gone & she will be safe. Take care.”

Carolyn Brown sent this lovely message: “Pray you be protected till you can have operation sweet child.”

And Chris Leslie said: “Bless her and keep her safe xx.”

Linda Wilford said: “Be strong little one” while Ary Sarhang posted: “Sending love to your family.”

Debra Vass said: “Thinking of you little one” while Paul Baker said: “Be strong little one.”

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Ida Wilkinson said: “Aw bless her and all of you sending lots of love X” while Dorothy Knox said: “Stay safe gorgeous girl xx.”

Lyla has to wait even longer for her 10th surgery on her brain. It was due to go ahead on Wednesday this week at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

But dad Paul, from Hartlepool, told the Hartlepool Mail: “The hospital has phoned and cancelled Lyla’s op. The amount of new cases has risen in the last 24 hours and Lyla’s consultant thinks it’s best to postpone again.

“If she got the coronavirus while weak would kill her.

“So I am glad he has cancelled but I want you all to see the mental effect it has on Lyla”

In the last four years Lyla has undergone life-threatening surgery, battled meningitis, been treated for hydrocephalus and had a shunt put into her head.

Their daughter’s inspirational story led to her becoming one of the winners of a Child of Courage trophy at the recent Best of Hartlepool Awards.