DAISY BELL overcame the odds to live long enough to make it through her first Christmas.

Two weeks after she was born in November 2010, Daisy was rushed to Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon where doctors diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis, the most severe type of the disease.

Her parents Sianade and Ronnie Bell were told to expect the worst as Daisy had a 20 per cent chance of making it through the first night.

A day later Daisy’s chances had increased and a week later doctors said she would pull through.

“It was such a tough time for us and you always think the worst when something like this happens to your child,” said Mrs Bell, 28. “You see it on TV and with friends, but you never think it will happen to you. We were so relieved when Daisy pulled through.”

After spending a month in hospital, Daisy had to go back. Aged 11 weeks, she had hydrocephalus which causes water on the brain. Within seven days, Daisy had two operations to have shunts put in her skull to pass water down to her abdomen.

She is now 14-months-old and is helping, along with her parents, repay the dedication shown by the hospital staff who saved her life and continue to care for her.

Daisy, who took her first steps two weeks ago, yesterday (Tuesday) took part in a toddle-waddle in Hinchingbrooke Park to raise money for the Meningitis Trust with her friends.

The money raised by Daisy’s toddle are the latest of the family’s fundraising efforts.

Mrs Bell, of Bradshaw Close, Huntingdon, added: “We have had loads of support from family and friends and we always give back what we have received, which is why we have raised money for the Holly Ward in Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Shine (previously ASBAH) who have helped us through the year.”

For her first birthday, Daisy was given more than �500 to donate to the Holly Ward, and Mr Bell, 31, and his father-in-law, Michael Back, completed the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough, raising �946 for Daisy to donate to Shine.

Daisy will have shunts in for all her life and, as they can get infected at any time, she has been in hospital four times already this year.

Mrs Bell postponed Christmas in 2010 for her four-year-old twins, Shay and Lily, and 11-year-old Brandon.

“When you look back at the hardest year we have ever had, you wouldn’t expect Daisy to do as well as she is,” she said. “As she spends a lot of time in hospital they take extra care with her and is really good with people as well.”

INFORMATION: If you wish to donate, visit uk.virgin moneygiving.com/sianadebell