A BURY teenager who lost her leg to a rare form of cancer is raising money to help youngsters on the ward where she was treated.

Samina Bashir, aged 15, was diagnosed with bone cancer osteosarcoma in July 2013 after feeling pain in her right leg.

Initially told by the doctors that there was an issue with her kneecap, when her leg started swelling Samina was referred to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where tests revealed she had cancer.

She then underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, however, the treatment was unsuccessful and Samina was told that she could die if she did not have her leg removed. It was amputated two years ago.

Last year, the youngster decided to raise money to help youngsters in Ward 84 at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she was a patient.

Samina, who sat her GCSEs at Broad Oak Sports College earlier this year, managed to raise £530 after taking part in the Heaton Park Race for Life and holding a school dress down day.

The money was enough to purchase 12 tablets, which Samina and her schoolfriends handed over to patients themselves.

Although she still attends the hospital for regular scans, it was the first time Samina from Bury, had returned to the ward itself.

Speaking about the experience, she said: “It made me realise how horrible it was looking back. It shows how brave the people are that are going through it.”

And ahead of her 16th birthday later this month, she has embarked on a further fundraiser campaign – this time to fill gift bags with toys, blankets and other items.

In a bid to garner support for her campaign, Samina posted a video to Facebook several weeks ago. So far, it has been viewed more than 3,000 times.

She said: “It has been a few years now, so I would really like to give back to help children who are in the position I was in.

“When I was there I received lots of stuff myself. It can be quite boring in hospital, so when people brought teddys and blankets it boosted morale. If I can make the children smile, then that is my aim.”

Samina has so far raised almost £1,000 thanks to a variety of donations, and £85 from a cake sale. Once she has assembled the gift bags, she hopes to hand them over to patients in September.

Her auntie Carly McDonald said: “Samina is such an inspiration. She has such a can do attitude and is so positive and always smiling. She has helped us through everything, not the other way round.

“She has been in that position and someone did that for her and she wants to give back.

“It is nice for the patients to see someone who has been through it, and let them know there is another side.”

August is a busy month for Samina. Alongside her birthday and her fundraising endeavours, she will also receive her GCSE results on August 23.

Should she achieve the results she wants, she hopes to go on to study A-Levels at Bury College in September.

Her ultimate aim, she says, is to become a paediatric doctor specialising in haematology or oncology, so she can help children going through similar circumstances to her.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/maya-bashirr?utm_term=XgBk7jWmn.