BRAVE Victoria Barker has battled with illness all her life.

She is blind in one eye and only has ten per cent vision in the other.

She has had to have regular MRI examinations and in June it was discovered she was afflicted by a rare brain tumour.

Now she is five weeks into a 70-week chemotherapy course to help battle the illness.

Despite the challenges she faces, Victoria still has the same interests as many other girls her age and she loves both unicorns and music with her favourite band Little Mix.

Her father Colin Barker, 40, said: “She’s just great. In spite of all her problems she’s a happy little girl who doesn’t let things get her down and takes everything in her stride.

"The whole situation has been tough for our family but my wife Kristy has been very strong. Victoria’s younger brother Matthew is six and he’s coping and Charlie who is only three is too young to really understand what’s happening”.

Victoria, who has learning difficulties, is still able to go to school and is currently attending Springwood Primary School in Swinton for children with special needs.

A fundraiser in her name was held at the Bradford Arms in Farnworth. The goal was to raise money for Manchester Children’s Hospital and specifically Ward 84 were Victoria has spent much of her time.

Mr Barker said: “The doctors and nurses on the ward do everything for the kids and bend over backwards to ensure they remain both happy and content."

Team Humphrey act as the charity representing the ward and the Humphrey mascot was there on the day to show support.

The fundraiser with raffles, face painting, and a bouncy castle was a great success and helped to raise almost £1,600 for the ward, said Mr Barker.

Victoria even had the chance to sing with semi-professional singer Joanne Hindley and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as they performed the R-Kelly hit I Believe I Can Fly.

She even surprised those in attendance by knowing all the words and really enjoyed the day, said her dad.