Jedward show Emma that dreams really do come true

A six-year-old local girl had a dream come true when she met pop duo Jedward during their recent visit to Navan to switch on the Christmas lights. Emma Phillips from Hayestown is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia and, as a special treat, the brave little girl got to meet John and Edward Grimes at the Ardboyne Hotel during their visit to the town. A daughter of John and Bernie Phillips, Emma was diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2009 and underwent treatment for the disease. Her mother, Bernie, explained that Emma was in remission and had recovered well but, in September of this year, they got the devastating news that the leukaemia had come back. She has undergone two rounds of chemotherapy but will require a bone marrow transplant as part of her treatment in the New Year. Jedward were invited to Navan on 11th December by the local town council to launch its Christmas 'shop local' campaign and to turn on the Christmas lights. Cllr Francis Deane, a lifelong friend of the Phillips family, arranged for John and Edward to meet Emma. Mrs Phillips said they only found out the night before that Emma was going to get to meet Jedward and said the little girl was delighted. “Emma is a huge 'X-Factor' fan. She knows Jedward and would spot them if they were ever in the paper. They were very nice and Edward lifted her up to have a photo taken,†she said. Mrs Phillips said Jedward gave Emma a present of a stamper set, which she treasures. Emma also presented a bouquet of flowers to John and Edward's mother, Susannah. And the excitement for the special little girl didn't end there. That afternoon, Emma was one of the children chosen from Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, to take part in a plane trip around Ireland with Santa. At 2pm, Emma was met by the elves at Dublin Airport. She brought her passport with her and had to check in as normal for the one-and-a-half hour flight around Ireland. Santa landed on top of the plane and met all the children. “It was a fantastic day, The children were treated like celebrities,†said Mrs Phillips. “She is very brave with all she has gone through and we are very proud of her.†Cllr Deane, who arranged for Emma to meet Jedward, said: “In the Ardboyne, John and Edward met Emma, moved away to meet other people and frequently popped back over to talk to Emma. Before leaving, they gave her a special present and they adored her. “Emma also presented John and Edward's mother, Susannah, with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and had a lengthy conversation with the mum of her idols. Mingling with celebrities was second nature to Emma.†He added: “Emma is a bright, intelligent little girl. Along with her many talents, she is extremely fun-loving, outgoing and friendly. This might have something to do with why she was picked to represent St John's Ward in Crumlin Hospital the same afternoon to fly on a plane around Ireland with Santa.†“I wish John, Bernie and Emma a magnificent Christmas and a truly successful 2011. They are fine people who deserve unconditional and limitless good luck,†said Cllr Deane.