2024 Winner
FLORRIE BARK
Cancer survivor inspires millions as she shares her battle with a rare form of leukaemia and raises money to help other children.
Florrie Bark began suffering repeated infections in 2022 and tests revealed she had acute myeloid leukaemia.
Dad Andy recalls Florrie, then just six, comforting him and her mum Stacey after the devastating diagnosis.
He says: “Florence wiped the tears off my face and said, ‘Stop crying, it’ll be OK’.” When chemotherapy didn’t work, doctors told Florrie’s parents she would need a bone-marrow transplant but warned there was a high risk it would be unsuccessful.
She had the transplant in August 2022 and the family were told she was cancer free last October.
But another heart-breaking setback followed, and Florrie is currently battling graft-versus-host disease of the lungs, where donor cells from the transplant attack the recipient’s tissue. In recent months she has been undergoing medical evaluation in preparation for a lung transplant. While in hospital she began posting heart-warming TikTok videos offering advice and support to other children battling cancer.
In one she explains what cancer is in an accessible way, using building blocks. In another she discusses how losing your hair does not change the fact you are beautiful. Her infectious positivity has won her 151,000 TikTok followers. Florrie, who is now eight, says: “I just like to think about the good stuff and try to have fun. I’m proud of making so many other people happy and showing them that hospital isn’t bad all the time and that you can have a lot of fun despite being sick.”
Andy, 36, and Stacey, 34, from Corby, Northants, have set up Bemorefab Children’s Cancer Charity to raise funds that support children, families and schools through the challenges of cancer. Andy says: “There are so many things we’re proud of. Florrie is the most selfless person, always more worried about others than herself.
“She just wants to help, to make people happy and show all that you can do despite having cancer. She has been around death so she knows how precious life is. “We couldn’t be prouder of her winning a Pride of Britain award. It’s amazing to think others have recognised how special we have always known that she is.” Florrie adds: “I’m in shock that I’ve won, but I’m very proud. I’m just glad my videos have made people so happy.”