A SCHOOLGIRL diagnosed with cancer has recorded a courageous message to her classmates explaining why she will be missing school and losing her hair.

Rosie Dicks, 14, from Luckington near Malmesbury, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October and has now begun the gruelling chemotherapy treatment to cure her of the disease.

Rosie  also had to undergo a biopsy, provide a bone marrow sample and endured a three hour operation on her windpipe under local anaesthetic.

Before her chemotherapy began Rosie recorded a video to explain why she was going to be out of school and to dismiss any rumours about herself or her condition.

Rosie said that when she showed the video to her friends and classmates many burst into tears, with an outpouring of support following from near and far thereafter.

She added: “You don’t realise how many people are there for you until something like this happens. It has really helped me knowing other people care”.

Rosie’s mother, Ann Dicks, added:  “Doctors at Bath told us from the start they had a pretty good idea what was wrong but it was still a huge shock when we were told Rosie had cancer.”

“The school have been brilliant, doing everything they possibly can to help, and her friends have been a great support.”

Tim Gilson, head teacher at Malmesbury said: “All of us at Malmesbury School are very proud of Rosie. She has shown tremendous bravery and is a wonderful role model for us all.

“The video she made for her class mates was an extremely moving and impressive piece of work, and the fact that she was so concerned about her friends reinforces what a thoughtful young lady she is.”

Rosie also received a Little Star Award from Cancer Research UK, awarded in partnership with TK Maxx, to celebrate the courage of all children who confront cancer.

Nominating Rosie for the Little Star Award her mother wrote: “She cried when she was told what was wrong but since then she has been amazingly strong and brave. We are so proud of Rosie and her positive attitude. She has kept her sense of humour throughout”.

Speaking on behalf of Cancer Research UK Helen Johnston said: “Rosie has shown huge courage in the way she has dealt with her diagnosis, not least of all how she resolved to tell her friends personally what she was facing.

“She richly deserves her award”.