A BRAVE six-year-old who has survived cancer led thousands of women as they took part in Race for Life.

Little Georgia Kelly, from Daisy Hill sounded the air horn at the event in Leigh and was the guest of honour at the race at Pennington Flash.

She set off a formidable army of about 1,300 women for the 5k route to raise money for Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work.

Georgia took part in the event with her mum Karen and more than 36 other friends and family members.

Mrs Kelly, aged 36, said: “Georgia has been so excited about being special guest at Race for Life.

“We are just thrilled that so many people have supported our team and that we have raised a great amount of money for Cancer Research UK.

“Without the money for research raised by Race for Life events then Georgia might not have received such excellent treatment and be here with us now.”

“Team Georgia” has already raised more than £2,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The St James Primary pupil was diagnosed with cancer in November 2011.

She underwent surgery to remove the tumour and part of her skull, followed by a further operation to insert a plate in her skull in the New Year.

Georgia also had a full body scan, which revealed a second tumour in her abdomen, that was calcified.

Within a few weeks of her surgery, more lumps appeared on her skull.

Test results revealed Georgia had neuroblastoma.

Her parents, Karen and Phil Kelly, had already suffered heartache after losing their first child, Jamie, at the age of just three weeks after he was born prematurely.

Karen, who is a paediatric nurse, had also only just lost her dad, Sam Wood, to oesophageal cancer.

Georgia’s chemotherapy finished in March 2012. Scans showed she was clear of cancer, but her bone marrow results were not completely clear, so she had two extra cycles of another three chemotherapy drugs.

In July last year, Georgia had a stem cell harvest, followed by surgery to remove the calcified tumour in her abdomen, thought to be the primary source of the cancer.

Since then, she has also had stem cell transplant and 14 doses of radiotherapy.

A recent scan has shown Georgia is cancer free and is back at school full-time.

Organisers hope the event at Leigh will raise £80,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Places are still available at Race for Life Bolton on Sunday July 7 and at Haydock on Sunday July 14.