Pride of Britain winner Florrie Bark, 9, ‘given life back’ after lung transplant

Nine-year-old Florrie Bark is doing well after her lung transplant

Adorable Florrie Bark hopes her two wishes – to dance and to play hide and seek – will soon be granted. For the nine-year-old who won the nation’s hearts with her infectious giggle and unbreakable spirit, when she won Pride of Britain’s Child of Courage Award in 2024, has just had a successful lung transplant. Speaking from the family home in Corby, Northants., she tells The Mirror: “I’m really looking forward to dancing again, playing with my cousins and spending more time with my friends. I can’t wait to do lots of the things that I wasn’t able to do before.”

Florrie became a star of The Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards because of her amazing courage and admirable charitable fundraising, after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, in 2022, aged six. Her mum Stacy, 36, a former healthcare assistant in radiology who cares for Florrie full time, and her dad Andrew, 38, now run her Bemorefab charity, which helps children, families and schools that are affected by cancer.

Florrie Bark, Child of Courage winner with Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on Monday 21st October 2024(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Florrie, who has an older brother Freddie, 12, needed a lung transplant after complications from a bone marrow transplant. Describing her recovery as “textbook,” her dad says: “She’s doing so well, hitting all the milestones the doctors hope for.

“For the first time in years we’re actually able to think about the future. We used to hold our breath day to day, praying Florrie wouldn’t catch an infection that could kill her. Two years ago a common cold saw her in intensive care on life support. While we’re still isolating as she heals, this summer she’ll be able to hang out with her friends, run around, play catch. We can’t quite believe it. We were living on borrowed time, and she’s been given her life back.”

Florrie was on the transplant list for 18 months – although she was removed several times when she was too weak for surgery. When Great Ormond Street Hospital staff phoned to tell her parents a pair of lungs were available in April, Florrie’s lung function was down to 25% and she needed supplementary oxygen to survive.

Andrew says: “The call came at 3am. I shook Stacy awake. ‘It has to be the lungs,’ I said – and it was. GOSH picked us up in an ambulance at 6am, and at 3.30pm Florrie was gowned up and taken into theatre. It was a whirlwind.”

Florrie’s first time on the swings with her brother Freddie, 12

Tense throughout the 10 hour operation, thankfully, it was a success. Within two days she was off ventilation. On day three she was sitting up taking deep breaths. On day five she was on her feet. Andrew says: “Throughout Florrie’s medical journey, the ‘worst’ would always happen. But this time, doctors have said the lungs are the perfect fit and working incredibly well.”

The Barks have had to shield against infection since the op, but by July Florrie will be free to spend time with her pals. She says: “When we got the call, I was really excited. Mummy and Daddy were feeling very emotional, but I was just excited to go and get my new lungs.

“I even picked out my favourite beautiful tiara to wear, because I wanted to feel special. Now I’m excited to go on adventures, make memories with my family and enjoy being more active. Most of all, I’m excited to make the most of my new lungs and live life to the fullest.”

And the day after her 10th birthday on July 8, she plans to ring the bell to signal the end of her cancer treatment. Andrew says: “She wasn’t strictly given the all clear, but was cancer free from early 2023, after her stem cell transplant in August 2022. But she’s never felt well enough to ring the bell. Her treatment was never over. Now, we’re going to have a huge celebration.”

Freddie, Florrie, Andrew and Stacy enjoy the summer sun

Florrie also hopes to return to school and go back to her beloved dancing classes. Andrew says: “These things are now a genuine possibility. There will be more hospital appointments and complications, and transplanted lungs can deteriorate. But we’ve been filled with hope for the first time in a long time. We can think in terms of years ahead, rather than days. We’re excited to make plans and memories, and make up for lost time.

“To the donor’s family, we are incredibly grateful for the selfless decision that they made. We’ll spend the rest of our lives trying to do them proud and make the most of Florrie’s lungs and the gift of life that she’s been given.”

Florrie’s selfless spirit led to her posting heartwarming TikTok videos offering advice and support to other children with cancer – winning over 433,000 followers in the process.

Determined to help other children, she launched Bemorefab with her parents, which has . raised half a million pounds to help kids living with cancer access tutors to catch up with schoolwork.

Florrie Bark with Henry Moores, who is raising money for her charity Bemorefab with his latest epic challenge

Her amazing drive inspired Henry Moores – who she describes as her “hero,” to run 50 marathons in 50 US states, with the aim of raising £50,000 for Bemorefab. Henry, 24, from Macclesfield, set off on April 20, and is now running marathon number 44. Last year, he walked 1,400-mile from Manchester to Ibiza in flip flops, raising an incredible £80,000 for the Bemorefab.

Now Henry has been nominated for a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award with P&O Cruises and Florrie is asking readers to donate to his fundraiser and help him to reach his target.

Henry, who works in social media, says: “Florrie is so electric to be around, I knew I had to help raise money for her brilliant charity. I’m tired, the heat is no joke in America – I’m running in 34 degrees. But these marathons are nothing in comparison to what Florrie has been through. Videos and messages from her have been lifting me up and spurring me on. I want to raise as much money as I can for her – and for children like her. And to be nominated for a Pride of Britain award is amazing.”

Florrie says: “Henry is amazing. We look at his progress every day and see where he is, which is really exciting. Through his videos, it almost feels like I’m getting to see some of these places in America too. We’re so proud of him and everything he’s doing for us. He’s done so much to support our family, and he’s become part of our family. We love him and we’re incredibly grateful for everything he’s doing.”