Not only has eight-year-old Rhys Burnikell had to suffer horrific scenes after his dad Joe Arthur was attacked and died, he and sibling Brioney, 11, have watched two-year-old sister Laila battle from the brink of death after being struck down with meningococcal septicemia.

Now their mum Leona has nominated them for the Echo's Christmas Wish competition, to give her "inspirational" children a festive treat.

In a letter to the Echo, Leona, 29, said: "Through these harrowing few years they have had a lot to deal with, but with the help of their big sister Brioney they are trying to move forward.

"Rhys will never forget that day, Laila will always have her scars, and Brioney has the heart-breaking memories of what her little brother and little sister have been through."

Thorney Close Primary School Rhys was on his first holiday abroad in October 2006 with his dad Joe, Joe's partner Leigh-Anne and her daughter Millie.

But what was meant to be a dream holiday in Sidari, Corfu, turned into tragedy when Joe was attacked outside a bar and died from a brain haemorrhage a few days later.

Leona, of Premier Road, Plains Farm, said: "He saw his dad walking round the corner covered in blood.

"He has that image stuck in his brain and he still talks about it now. He wishes he could pull it out of his head."

Less than a year after Rhys lost his dad, tragedy struck again when little Laila – then 17 months – was rushed to hospital with meningococcal septicemia.

Laila has been ill for a couple of weeks and when Leona picked her up from nursery her temperature was sky-high and she later suffered a febrile convulsion in Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Soon after Leona noticed a black dot on Laila's shoulder and within a hour she was covered in them from head to toe.

Meningococcal septicemia is a severe infection of the blood. Bacteria multiply in the blood, releasing endotoxins that cause widespread damage to the body.

She was soon transferred to a specialist paediatric intensive care unit at Newcastle General Hospital – where she spent two weeks and had to be put into an induced coma while being given antibiotics to fight the infection.

Throughout it all, Brioney became Leona's "rock" and Rhys kept drawing pictures for his little sister to try to make her feel better.

Leona, a domestic at Sunderland Royal Hospital, added: "They all really look out for each other."

Laila was left with temporary arthritis in her legs and could not walk for four weeks after – and she still sometimes has problems with them.
Leona has nominated her children for the Echo's Christmas Wish competition, which aims to reward a special young person.

The competition is open to youngsters – 16 or under – who have shown true courage, whether by overcoming illness, achieving something exceptional, or devoting their time caring for a sick relation.

If you would like to nominate someone, email: danielle.beeton@northeast-press.co.uk or write to Danielle Beeton, Christmas Wish competition, Sunderland Echo, Echo House, Pennywell, Sunderland SR4 9ER.

Please include:

• lYour name and daytime contact telephone number;


• lThe name and age of the young person you are nominating (16-years and under);


• lA daytime contact number for their parents or guardian;


• lAn explanation of why you are nominating them (300 words or less).

All entries should come from Wearside or East Durham and should be received by Saturday, December 20.

Usual Echo competition rules apply, available on request.