An 11-year-old girl from Abbots Langley who suffers from a debilitating illness visited Silverstone last Friday after coming in pole position in a Great Ormond Street Hospital competition.

Sian Moorcroft has Intermediate Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which means she is unable to walk or stand.

The Tanners Wood School pupil is a patient of Great Ormond Street Hospital and won a competition which gave her the opportunity to meet her some of her motor racing heroes.

Sian was one of Bernie Ecclestone’s VIP guests at the 2014 Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

Emma, Sian’s mother, said: "We had a fantastic day at Silverstone. Sian was so excited to see what happens behind the scenes and meet some of her Formula 1 heroes. Our whole family are massive fans so it meant so much to us."

The 38-year-old added: "Sian has been through a difficult time recently so this trip came at the perfect time. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital who have taken such brilliant care of Sian and us all throughout her treatment."

Sian and her family joined a small group of other Great Ormond Street patients who are fanatical about Formula 1 racing for a once in a lifetime experience at one of the sports most exciting events.

Sian, who is due to start Kings Langley Secondary School in September, has been treated at the hospital since 2006 for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Watford Observer:

Sian Moorcroft with mum Emma and dad Craig

She has had 21 operations as part of her treatment and has only just been able to return to school after spending the past six months at home.

During her visit to Silverstone, Sian watched the practice sessions and enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the F1 Paddock, where she met Pastor Maldonado.

The family are such big fans of the sport that they decided to go again on Saturday so that Sian’s little brother, three-year-old Harry, could be a part of the experience.

On Saturday, Sian presented Lewis Hamilton with a lucky loom bracelet that she had made.

Mrs Moorcroft said: "She gave him a lucky charm, which Lewis was really happy about, and it was just unbelievably uncanny that he went on to win the Grand Prix."

Mrs Moorcroft said this experience was just what the family needed after what has been a difficult year.

She said: "Sian has been ill this year and she was has been stuck at home because she’s had a major operation. So to actually have something like that after this year and to be a part of something so big was amazing."