Dying child Olivia Downie arrives back home in Scotland from Mexico

A dying seven-year-old girl has been flown back to Scotland after she was stranded in a hospital in Mexico.

STV News revealed on Tuesday that Olivia Downie had been given the all-clear to fly and was due to leave Tijuana within 24 hours.

The youngster and her family were met by an ambulance on the tarmac and were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Olivia is understood to be unconscious and still on life support. A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said: "Olivia is in a serious but stable condition at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital following her return from Mexico this afternoon.

"Her parents are hugely appreciative of the kindness and generosity which has been shown to them, but request that their privacy is fully respected at this difficult time."

The child, from Fraserburgh, was diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma three years ago - an aggressive form of childhood cancer that attacks the nervous system and can affect the lungs, skin and brain.

Her family raised thousands of pounds in order to fly out to Mexico for "last ditch" treatment in an effort to save the youngster. That treatment failed and her family wanted to bring her home before she died.

Last week, stranded on the other side of the Atlantic, the family made an emotional appeal for donations to help fly their daughter home and more than £150,000 has since been received by Families Against Neuroblastoma (FAN), the charity which organised the trip.

Linza Corp, who runs FAN, said: “Of course I’m relieved she’s home it’s the culmination of a massive operation to get her home. We’ve been working round the clock with so many people behind the scenes to make this happen.

“I’ve been given access to the country’s best lawyers and other bits - it’s amazing. I can’t believe in your hour of need when you have to do something like this there are so many people that can help.

“We won’t disappear now she is home, we’ll stay with the family through the entire journey through bereavement and into the future and it’ll be ongoing for as long as the family needs it,” Ms Corps, who is originally from Dumfries, said.

“We’re hopeful of miracles and children are surprising and Olivia is strong and a fighter and it wouldn’t surprise me if she rallies and gets home where she wants to be.”

The youngster's case has raised the profile of the condition and of FAN in recent days.

“Olivia’s case has done us a world of good and we’re hoping it will highlight other children who will now benefit as a result,” Ms Corps said.

“Olivia is still very much with us and hanging on. I love that little girl and it doesn’t surprise me that in her final days she has managed to achieve more than most grown-ups will achieve in a life-time and I’m just proud of her.

“The generosity of the Scottish public has been overwhelming and I for one hope I can count on everyone to support our charity and put an end to this situation that these children face forever.”

Ms Corps, who on Wednesday marked the three-year anniversary of her own son Max who died at 18 months after suffering from the same disease, said realistically there was no chance of Olivia coming off the ventilator but that she may manage to travel home to Fraserburgh.

Olivia was flown home aboard a specially equipped Air Ambulance Worldwide Lear jet accompanied by a critical care nurse and speciality respiratory therapist and her parents. The 5100-mile journey home cost £85,000.

Kevin Downie, Olivia’s uncle, said that the whole family had been praying that Olivia would make it home.

The total cost of bringing the youngster home, including commercial flights, her initially treatment and hospital care, is nearly £190,000 and Olivia’s family has now asked people to stop donating to her fund and support FAN - the charity which helped her.

Fraserburgh and District councillor Brian Topping said he was delighted to hear Olivia would be returning home and that her story had “touched the hearts and minds of everyone in Scotland”.

“I’m absolutely delighted to hear this. I’m thrilled - over the moon. I think everyone in and around Fraserburgh and Scotland will be so pleased with the fact that she is getting home. It is so vitally important for Olivia and the whole family,” Mr Topping said.

“I know the parents will still be praying for a miracle but a lot of people are praying for her. It must be such a massive and huge relief for Olivia, her mum and dad and her sister that she’ll have enough strength to fly home. It’ll be a huge sigh of relief.

“I think she’s touched the hearts and minds of everyone in Scotland. I’m always proud to say I come from Fraserburgh and in difficult times like this it proves how the community comes together, not just Fraserburgh but the area around. It’s unbelievable in the short time to raise that amount. It must bring a great deal of comfort to Olivia’s mum and dad.”

To support the charity which helped Olivia and her family go to its JustGiving page.

IN DETAIL:

Olivia Downie Timeline

Neuroblastoma Fact File

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