Little Troopers is proud to announce Isobel Kemp, aged 5, as Little Trooper of the Month for August.

Izzy has shown incredible bravery and determination after what began as back ache led to the discovery of a tumour growing at the base of her spine.

After Izzy began waking in the night with back pain, her condition deteriorated until she was hospitalised and unable to walk. Two X-rays failed to identify the cause, but an MRI scan later revealed a tumour, around the size of a grape, growing at the base of her spine.

Izzy was transferred by ambulance from her local hospital to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where she underwent a further MRI scan followed by five hours of spinal surgery. Her neurosurgeons and medical team carefully removed the tumour while working to ensure there was no lasting damage.

Following surgery, Izzy underwent two further MRI scans which confirmed that the entire tumour had been successfully removed.

Her recovery was far from over. With her nerves and spinal cord irritated and inflamed following surgery, Izzy experienced chronic low-pressure headaches, severe sickness and pain, while also having to learn to walk again.

Yet just one month later, Izzy had achieved exactly that and was able to begin a phased return to school. Her classmates had recorded messages of support for her while she was away and welcomed her back by clapping as she returned to the classroom.

Throughout an incredibly difficult and sometimes frightening experience, Izzy’s family say she managed to retain her wonderful sense of humour and good cheer. She made friends on every hospital ward she stayed on and even befriended the ambulance drivers who transferred her between hospitals.

Izzy is a very proud military child. Her dad is a serving submariner in the Royal Navy and military life has been part of Izzy’s story since before she was born.

Looking to the future, Izzy already has big ambitions and says she would like to become an “exciting scientist” when she grows up.

Her family nominated Izzy for Little Trooper of the Month because of the extraordinary determination she has shown throughout her illness and recovery, refusing to allow what could have been a life-changing injury to hold her back.

On finding out that she had been selected as Little Trooper of the Month, Izzy told her mum that she wanted to “cry happy tears.”

As our latest Little Trooper of the Month, Izzy will receive a Little Troopers medal, a £100 Hobbycraft gift voucher and her certificate.

Louise Fetigan MBE, founder of Little Troopers, said:

“Isobel has shown such incredible courage and determination through an experience that would be frightening at any age, let alone at just five years old.

“To go through major spinal surgery, cope with such a difficult recovery and have to learn to walk again, while still finding reasons to smile and make friends along the way, is remarkable.

“We love how proud Izzy is to be a military child. She is an incredibly deserving Little Trooper of the Month and we hope she enjoys every moment of this recognition. Well done Izzy!”