LITTLE Evie Atkinson has her parents’ permission to make all the noise she wants this Christmas.

Last year the lively four-year-old had faded to a shadow of her former self – quiet, withdrawn and sapped of energy as she fought newly-diagnosed cancer.

The festive season simply passed by in a blur of hospital visits.

However, thanks to life-saving treatment and her own courage, Evie, from Uckfield, is now well on the road to recovery.

Her sparkle has returned and she is looking forward to Christmas at home with mum Emma, 36, dad Tom, 36, and big sister Isabella, seven.

Mr Atkinson said: “I think we’ve already got the best Christmas present of all – our noisy, bouncy, happy little girl back.

“This time last year Evie was getting ready to go into hospital on Christmas Eve for radiotherapy treatment under anaesthetic.

“Now her hair has grown back – although curlier than before – and she is back to being her noisy self – maybe a little too noisy. This year it will just be lovely to be together for Christmas.”

Evie’s courage in dealing with the disease has won her a Cancer Research UK Little Star award, which acknowledges the bravery children show during cancer treatment.

The youngster first became unwell in May last year when she developed a stomach bug that would not go away and ended up losing her appetite. Tests revealed she had a problem with her kidney.

She was later found to have a growth called neuroblastoma, a cancer of nerve cells left behind from a baby’s development in the womb.

Evie underwent chemotherapy treatment, major surgery, a stem cell transplant and radiotherapy.

She also became desperately ill when her portacath, a line attached to her body through which the drugs are fed, became infected.

Mr Atkinson said: “That was the lowest point in her treatment. The Evie we know just disappeared.”

However, the rest of Evie’s treatment went well and she is now cancer free.

The family is grateful for the treatment Evie received and is acutely aware of the need to fund research and find better and kinder treatments, particularly for children.

Mr Atkinson said: “The work cancer charities and support groups provide is amazing and played a massive part in helping us cope during our hardest times.”

The Little Star Awards are open to all under-18s who have cancer or who have been treated for the disease in the last five years.

To nominate someone, visit cruk.org/littlestar.