KIRSTAN Armitt is just like any other 12-year-old Macclesfield schoolgirl...she likes going to the park with friends, shopping with her mum and riding her bike.

But what sets her apart from her pals is her brave fightback to health after suffering a stroke – a very rare condition in a child so young.

Now on the road to recovery after collapsing in the school playground at the tender age of 11, she has had to learn how to sit up and walk all over again.

And last week her courage was rewarded at a special ceremony.

Outstanding, kind and brave were just three of the words used to describe Kirstan, of Brook Street, as she collected her Girlguiding’s Star of Merit Award from the North West regional commissioner.

The girl guider– who is just back on her feet after four months in a wheelchair – was delighted.

"I’d really like to thank my family and everyone at Macclesfield Hospital children’s Ward who have helped me and supported me," she told the Express. "I’m very happy because I have had physio and can walk again without having to be in a wheelchair."

Kirstan, who has four sisters and two brothers, had the stroke while at Puss Bank Primary School, when she suddenly collapsed in the playground. She was later told she had two vessels missing in front of her brain. As part of her recovery, Kirstan, now a Tytherington High School pupil, spent three weeks in hospital and four months in a wheelchair.

Claire Armitt, Kirstan’s mum – who sat proudly in the audience at St Paul’s Parish Centre with dad Ian, a coach driver – said: "I just couldn’t stop crying all the way through the ceremony. I can’t say how proud I am of her. It was such a shock and she couldn’t even sit up at first. She’s done so well."

She added: "She has worked so hard to get herself up and about and has just recently learnt to ride her bike again through sheer determination and she even attended guides when she was in a wheelchair."

At the presentation at St Paul’s Parish Centre, Macclesfield, her unit guider Linda Pearson, described Kirstan as modest, unassuming and a role model to all.She told the audience, including parents of awardees and guiding commissioners from region, county, division and district: "She has been outstanding, kind and courageous throughout."

Linda, who has not seen anyone else receive the award in her 20 years as a guider, added: "Kirstan is marvellous and an example to everybody. She always smiles and gets on with things which makes you stop and think, what do I have to moan about?"

Guiders were so impressed by Kirstan’s courage and determination to recover and carry on with life as normal, that they decided to nominate her for the rare prize.

Despite Kirstan’s recovery going well, she still has a slight limp and movement in her left hand is restricted.

Her consultant at Macclesfield Hospital, Dr Ian Spillman, who has worked with Kirstan throughout her recovery, said: "Kirstan has shown a lot of determination and stayed active which really helps.

"I’m really pleased she got this award."

He added: "Kirstan had always had an abnormal blood vessel which is why the stroke happened and she will remain on aspirin for the rest of her life to prevent this happening again.  She has recovered well so far, thanks to a lot of support from her family and some great physiotherapy," he added.