AN INSPIRATIONAL Rowley Regis girl is looking forward to rejoining her school friends after recovering from the life-threatening condition Aplastic Anaemia.

Jessica Maybury will return to Springfield Primary next Thursday (March 15) after an eight-month absence.

Eight-year-old Jessica fought off a series of infections in Birmingham Children’s Hospital before undergoing chemotherapy and a successful bone marrow transplant last September.

Her overjoyed mum Sharon said: “Jessica has been inspirational - she has just accepting everything and plodded on without complaining - she has been amazing.

“The school has been brilliant - its support and well wishes have been constant and Jessica is really, really excited about going back.

“Her classmates have been sending her cards and keeping her up to date with what they have been doing.”

Headteacher Susan Powis said: “Jessica has remained positive, brave and cheerful and is an inspiration to other children who are unwell.

“We are eagerly awaiting her return to her extended family at Springfield.

“Children and staff alike will welcome her with open arms.”

Aplastic Anaemia is a rare disorder affecting the bone marrow, which fails to produce sufficient blood cells, leaving sufferers with little or no immune system.

Jessica was diagnosed with the condition last June, aged seven, after suffering bruising. She was sent for a blood test and was admitted to Birmingham Childrens Hospital where a week later the news was broken.

She spent three months battling infections before undergoing chemotherapy followed by the bone marrow transplant.

Because she is an only child Jessica, who lives with mum Sharon and dad Peter, relied on the Anthony Nolan Trust which found an anonymous American donor.

Her mum thanked staff at the hospital who were “amazing” and appealed for people to sign up to the trust’s donor register.