A GREENOCK family have told of their gratitude to the top hospital doctors who saved their daughter's life after she was born with an extremely rare disease.

Luisa Shearer was cared for by a specialist team at London's Great Ormond Street after being born eight weeks premature with a condition called long stem tracheal stenosis.

It meant the six-year-old's airway was no bigger than a pinhole.

Luisa also battles heart problems and another disease called subglottic stenosis, which resulted in her airway collapsing and she had to be rushed to hospital by air ambulance.

The Ardgowan Primary pupil, who lives with sister Anna and parents Julie-Anne and Ally, has undergone multiple operations over the past six years, including open heart surgery.

Her most recent op was just four months ago.

Ally, 39, said: "There were so many uncertainties and Luisa really kept us on our feet.

"We came home and five days later, her airway collapsed and she was rushed into theatre.

"She wouldn't be here without the amazing doctors who looked after her."

Julie-Anne, who is an accountant, and Ally spent months travelling to and from London after Luisa was born, for vital check-ups and the operations.

They say that the support they got from family and friends helped get them through.

Ally added: "It was a lot to have two very young children and not being able to have them in the one place.

"We made use of Sleeper trains and are so lucky we had such a good support system in place."

Luisa will be under the care of both Great Ormond Street medics and the Glasgow Children's Hospital until she is 18, due to her condition.

The family were forced to shield at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic as even a common cold can cause major difficulties.

Luisa is on permanent antibiotics but Julie-Anne says she her daughter doesn't let it get her down.

The mum-of-two told the Tele: "She is so feisty and has so much fight.

"Things that you think would really floor her, she rises above - that's what Luisa does.

"We will always need to be careful and keep an eye on her, coronavirus was particularly scary for us as we need to do things differently for Luisa.

"What she has is super rare, but she doesn't let anything stop her."

Luisa's kind big sister Anna has taken on a charity challenge to thank the team of specialist doctors who saved her life.

Seven-year-old Anna is raising money for Great Ormond Street by running a kilometre each day during July.

Anna, who has battled Type 1 diabetes since she was 15 months old, has raised over £1,000 so far.

She said: "I enjoy running and look forward to doing it every day.

"My mum runs with me, my dad takes our dog Bertie and Luisa comes behind me on her scooter.

"My best friend is also going to run with me too.

"It's good fun."

Anna's fundraising has been supported by local business Tonino's and by kind-hearted passers-by on the Esplanade.

Julie-Anne told the Tele: "We both had our t-shirts on down the Esplanade and were stopped by so many people, we made £34 before the end of the run.

"We initially aimed to raise £150, but smashed through that in 20 minutes.

"We really appreciate all the support."

To donate to the fundraiser, visit bit.ly/2TS5RO1