Bravery honoured at Our Kids Day Out

A SPECIAL bravery award will see seven-year-old Willow Roberts celebrated for her courage and resilience at the Clarence Property Our Kids Day Out in Ballina this Saturday, May 4.

Our Kids, the local charity behind the free event, raises funds for paediatric equipment for the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery.

This year, the Suzie Levot Memorial Our Kids Bravery Award will honour a seven-year-old girl who has battled bone cancer.

Willow has spent time in the Lismore Base Hospital Children’s Ward and the Queensland Children’s Hospital since May last year.

Her mother Martika Janson said Willow has shown incredible strength and resilience, having undergone operations including a rotationplasty amputation which preserves the lower leg after removing the knee.

“Willow has shown incredible strength and resilience when faced with the fight of her life,” Ms Janson said.

“During (her) amputation operation she never let anything get her down, the day after her amputation Willow was on the edge of her bed scared but brave doing physiotherapy to get moving, she was unstoppable.

“Willow said I will do everything I did before, it will just take time.”

The day will celebrate her courage, with fun for the whole family.

Entertainment includes Paw Patrol, the Blaze Magic Show, DJ Chad, the Wildlife Twins, and more.

Emergency services will bring boats, cars and trucks for kids to explore and learn about each group’s role in the community.

The Ballina Lions Club breakfast and main stage performances start at 9am.

“Willow truly deserves to be centre stage at the Our Kids Day Out celebration, she is extraordinary and has shown incredible bravery through her journey,” Our Kids fundraising coordinator Rebekka Battista said.

“It will be a fantastic opportunity for families to enjoy free entertainment and connect with Emergency Services.

Families are encouraged to bring a blanket, with the event running until 1.45pm.