Terminally ill girl crowned '˜Inspirational Princess' by beauty pageant

The eight-year-old, is confined to a wheelchair and suffers from ailments including epilepsy, dystonia, cerebral palsy, hydrocephaly, blindness, and scoliosis.

Her plight has touched the hearts of local people, and her mum Amy was recently contacted by the Ultimate Beauty of the World Award Winning International Beauty Pageant, who wanted to award Cora a special title.

“Cora has been awarded the Ultimate Beauty of the World Inspirational Princess title,” Amy explained proudly.

“She has been given a crown and sash and we have been invited to be special guests when the pageant comes its grand finale in Belfast next year.

“They are also fundraising so that we can spoil Cora this Christmas.

“In addition, Cora has been nominated for the Be Brave Bears scheme, where volunteers send free personalised keepsake bears to children who are terminally ill or have life limiting conditions.”

Last week, Cora was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital due to cellulitis, an infection of the deeper layers of the skin.

She returned home on Tuesday, to her family’s relief.

“Before she took sick she was smiling and giggling and in good form, but extremely sleepy, she is not awake for very long now,” her mum revealed.

“While she was in hospital we are trying to get her Christmas tree sorted as we has received over 100 decorations in the post as part of the appeal we launched in the Larne Times a few weeks ago.

“We would like to thank everyone for their generosity.”

To send Cora a Christmas decoration, post it to: Cora McQuade-Denvir, Drumalla Park, Carnlough, BT44 0JE.