A TEENAGER battling cancer has achieved her dream of shopping in New York, thanks to children's charity The Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Danika Schofield, 14, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September 2000, enjoyed a five-day trip to the Big Apple with her parents and 10-year-old sister Jade.

The Ridgeway School pupil said: "We had a wonderful time. I was given a personal shopper in Macy's department store and we also visited the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

"We had a greeter who met us and showed us around New York so it was all organised for us.

"I had always wanted to shop in New York so it was a great experience."

Danika, whose illness was discovered after she found a lump on her neck, has undergone three years of painful chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

Her mum Karen, 32, a customer services adviser at Thames Water, said: "Initially Danika had seven months of chemotherapy.

"Then doctors found more lumps on her neck, chest and pelvis.

"Last year was a nightmare. Danika spent the best part of it in hospital in Oxford and also suffered an allergic reaction to a chemo treatment.

"The cancer has taken a lot of her childhood away. But she is a real fighter.

"We are now waiting for her to have a scan in June which will hopefully show that she has gone into remission."

Karen, of Beverly in Toot-hill, added: "The New York trip was fantastic. Everything was catered for from the flights to our food to her spending money."

Former Highworth mayor Brian Freeman, who supported Make-a-Wish throughout his year in office, said he was delighted Danika enjoyed her overseas jaunt.

He added: "Danika is a very cheerful girl. She doesn't whinge about her condition but is very inspirational."

"Make-a-Wish is a wonderful organisation"

Last year Highworth people raised £5,200 for Make-a-Wish.

Making their days

THE Make-a-Wish Foundation was set up in 1986 with the sole aim of granting the wishes of children between 13 and 18 suffering life-threatening illnesses.

The foundation has granted more than 2,500 wishes in the UK, regardless of the nature, cost or complexity.

A wish can provide a positive, often once-in-a-lifetime experience for the child and their family, diverting the child's attention from the difficult routine of medical treatment and the daily struggle against a life-threatening condition.

Call (01179) 673514 for more details.

www.make-a-wish.org.uk