A father has nominated his late daughter for an award after she launched her own business while undergoing chemotherapy.
Leah Patel, who was born in July 2010, has been put forward for the Emily Mott Child of Courage Award at the My Local Hero Awards by her father, Yogi.
Leah grew up like any normal girl, attending St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School and Queens’ School in Bushey.
But aged 11, just at the start of her final term in Year 7, her life was changed.
Leah was diagnosed with a rare type of soft tissue cancer, meaning she had to start an intensive course of chemotherapy in May 2022.
She built a strong relationship with the team at Watford General Hospital, particularly on the Elephant Ward and Safari Outpatients.
In the run-up to Christmas 2022, Leah set up her own business, making personalised baubles, mugs and bottles, including ones for pets filled with treats.
She also made a number of personalised ceramic baubles with the word ‘warrior’ emblazoned on them, which she put into Christmas bags to give to other paediatric patients.
Leah donated all the profits she made from her business to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Sadly, Leah passed away in July 2023, just days before her 13th birthday.
In her honour, her family encourages people to show an act of kindness on the 12th day of each month, in recognition of her age.
Her dad shared with Bushey News: “Leah is an incredibly caring and empathetic young lady.
“I told her many times, as her dad, that she was my hero.”
Leah has now been nominated for the Child of Courage Award at the upcoming My Local Hero Awards, which will take place at the Grove Hotel in Watford on Saturday, November 16.
Photo: Great Ormond Street
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