An animal loving youngster from Helston was able to put her health worries behind her when she had her dearest wish granted in a pre-Christmas treat.

Nine-year-old Lauren Hunt, who lives at Ashton, had always wanted to ride on a sleigh pulled by huskies in the snow in Lapland and thanks to Starlight Children’s Foundation, a wish granting charity for children and young people with serious and terminal illness, this has now become a reality.

Lauren, a pupil at Porthleven Primary School, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2014, a rare cancer of the white blood cells. She has had to undergo chemotherapy treatment to battle the cancer but her family said she has always remained brave, kind, caring and considerate throughout. With her treatment now over, it was time for Lauren and her parents to enjoy some quality time together.

Animals have played a huge role in helping Lauren through the past two years and her favourite of all is the husky dog, so when it came to choosing her Starlight Wish, Lauren knew exactly what she would like: to ride on a sleigh pulled by huskies in the snow.

Each year Starlight sends a group of families on a festive trip to Luosto, a traditional Finnish resort that offers a magical Lapland experience. Lauren and her family joined Starlight’s tenth annual trip in their quest to meet Santa.

With her mum Emma and dad Kevin, who both work at RNAS Culdrose, she spent a perfect four days in Lapland, where they enjoyed a breathtaking ride through the forest on a sleigh pulled by a team of huskies, rode on snowmobiles, met the reindeer and, of course, Mr Claus and his elves.

The family drank warming cups of berry juice around the campfire, made snowmen, had snowball fights and went sledging. By granting Lauren’s wish, Starlight brought some much-needed fun, laughter and happy memories to Lauren and her family just in time for Christmas.

Speaking to the Helston Packet, her mum Emma said: "We've never felt more Christmassy. It was magical and more than we could have ever imagined.

"From arriving at the airport and everyone being dressed up, the plane being decoration and everyone singing, it was non-stop being entertained and looked after. The scenery and setting was just beautiful; such an amazing experience."

What made it even more special, she added, was being able to share it with other children in a similar position to Lauren, with the families able to chat about their experiences. It was also a much-needed chance to relax together as a family.

"We came back really close-knit. To have that quality time like that was amazing, because we had a couple of years where we haven't been able to go away. Earlier in the summer we were due to take Lauren to Disneyland Paris as a treat, but she ended up being poorly and in hospital.

"We don't like to plan too much. You want to have things to look forward to but we run the risk of it not happening. The timing of this couldn't have been better," said Emma.

"It was just so memorable and magical, and something that will stay with us. We can't thanks Starlight enough."

The family now hopes to be able to fundraise themselves for the charity, to give something back.

On their return, mum Emma said: “Thank you Starlight for giving us the chance to spend quality time together in a unique and magical land. The husky sleigh ride was a special family moment and the memories from this special trip will live with us and help us get through the harder times.”