A CLYDEBANK youngster who has spent nearly a year battling liver disease has been recognised for the hard work she puts into her youth club.

Maxine Gow, County Commissioner for Girlguiding Dunbartonshire honoured, eight-year-old Kayla McCulloch the month with the Napier Trophy for her outstanding bravery and help for others in Brownies.

Kayla, a member of the 6th Clydebank Brownies, is just a few days shy of the anniversary of her diagnosis for sclerosing cholangitis, where the immune system attacks her liver.

But since then, she has not only kept smiling but has raised more than £2,000 in aid of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation and earned a “Brave Bear” from a charity celebrating her attitude to life.

Kayla said, "I'm really proud to have won this trophy. I love going to Brownies - it's so much fun. It makes me really happy that my whole unit has got involved in speaking up and raising money to help kids with liver disease.”

Her mum Elaine said Brownies and Girlguides was something she, her sisters and Kayla’s older sister Chloe all got involved with and Kayla has loved making new friends and gaining new experiences.

She told the Post: “It’s an opportunity to mix with different girls and forget about what’s wrong with her and have a bit of normalise in her life. She has missed a lot this year but the time she does go she gives 110 per cent.

“It’s a healthy distraction. There are probably other children who have health problems and ones without and she can just be Kayla for a while.

“The award meant a huge amount. To say she was excited was an understatement.”

Maxine Gow, County Commissioner for Girlguiding Dunbartonshire, said: “We were thrilled to present Kayla with the Napier Cup. Her determination and bravery are truly outstanding.

"Girlguiding is about giving all girls as safe space to have fun and try new experiences. We are delighted that Kayla has continued to be an active and enthusiastic member of the 6th Clydebank Brownies, even in the face of adversity, and that she has encouraged her whole unit speak up and take action to raise awareness and funds to help other children."

Earlier this month, Kayla tried her first full day at Kilbowie Primary in many weeks, having struggled beyond just half days recently. She was determined to go with fish and chips on the lunch menu.

Elaine said Kayla had her annual review early and doctors found things to be “reasonably stable” and she praised the staff at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow and the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation for their support along with family and friends.

Regardless, Kayla keeps smiling.

“You never know whether you are coming and going - there are up days and down days,” said Elaine, 34.

“But mostly you would not say there’s anything wrong with her. She smiles all the time and tries to cheer people up - you forget she’s the ill one.”