A COURAGEOUS youngster has turned tragedy into triumph by raising more than £200 for the hospice where her best friend died.

Inspirational Jorja Robertson-Gent, aged 10, sold loom bands at her school’s summer fair to support Derian House Children’s Hospice.

With the help of big sister Daniella, Jorja raised £201 in memory of her best friend, Jessica Green, who died at the hospice in Chorley in April.

Jessica, who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in March, 2011, had fought terminal cancer for three years.

The youngster was taken to the hospice earlier this year when she became seriously ill.

Jorja, a year six pupil at Chapelfield Primary School in Radcliffe, and 12-year-old Daniella, who attends Little Lever High School, sold loom band bracelets and charms to raise about £180.

The sisters, of Booth Road, Little Lever, boosted their total with further sales and a £60 donation from an office in Manchester where a neighbour works.

Chapelfield School’s parent liason officer, Jane McLoughlin, helped Jorja and Daniella organise their stall and support-ed Jorja during Jessica’s illness and since her death.

Mrs McLoughlin said: “Jorja and Danielle were devastated at the loss of their friend.

“With the support from school and friends, both girls have shown immense courage in organising and raising funds for Derian House “Last month John Rullo, a community fundraiser at Derian House, came into school and gave a slideshow to teach the year fives and sixes how important the service is for families whose children are very poorly.

“Jorja and Daniella then presented a cheque to Derian Danni, the hospice’s mascot.”

Jessica, a pupil at Mytham Primary School in Little Lever, was given nine months to live after she was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in March, 2011.

But after a course of radiotherapy, Jessica went on to live for another three years against the odds.

Mandie Robertson, mum to Jorja and Daniella, said she was “so proud” of what her girls had achieved.

She added: “Both girls were very distressed after Jess died, and this has really helped them.

“They wanted to say thank you to Derian House for looking after Jess. Raising the money has helped them come to terms with what happened.

“It was Daniella’s idea to sell loom bands bracelets and charms, she loves making them.