It was a very special day for a very special girl.

Eastern Daily Press: Maisie Lossau with friends on her 11th birthday. SubmittedMaisie Lossau with friends on her 11th birthday. Submitted (Image: Submitted)

Maisie Lossau, the brave youngster who refused to lose her smile when faced with a tumour, celebrated her birthday over the weekend.

Maisie, who turned 11 yesterday, is on the road to recovery, having spent the past seven months in hospital.

And with a little help from her friends, she was able to enjoy an emotional birthday in her parents' temporary residence in Acorn House, Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Around a dozen of her school chums made the trip to Cambridge, to help celebrate her big day.

Eastern Daily Press: Maisie Lossau is given a set of headphones and a framed copy of the Norwich Evening News by mum Dawn. SubmittedMaisie Lossau is given a set of headphones and a framed copy of the Norwich Evening News by mum Dawn. Submitted (Image: Submitted)

The Bignold Primary School pupil was showered with gifts and cards, filled with heartwarming messages from friends and family.

Mum Dawn said: 'There was not a dry eye in the house when her friends read out the messages they had put in her cards.

'I was amazed that 10 and 11-year-olds were writing such wonderful things – it was so touching.'

Among the messages were words commending Maisie on her courage and expressing how they could not hope for a better friend.

Mrs Lossau added: 'Maisie was absolutely overwhelmed with all the love she received and in the end got a little upset when she had to go back to hospital. However, she refused to let her friends see it had affected her, which just goes to show how brave a young lady she is.'

The day before, Maisie was treated to visits from grandparents, aunties, uncles and godparents, with her birthday weekend set to be capped with a trip to the cinema today.

'She has been very spoilt over the weekend – but that is no more than she deserves,' Mrs Lossau added.

'The generosity we have received has been absolutely mind-blowing. Words just cannot describe it.

'A huge thank you to everybody who did something to make Maisie's day so special.'

With the presents and cards now opened, it is back on the road to recovery for Maisie, with hopes that she will be in her new home in Spixworth by September.

Mrs Lossau said: 'Her recovery is going really well, she is starting to get strength back in her legs and this week she managed to do 18 minutes on her special exercise bike.

'We still have a long way to go, but we are still aiming to have her home around mid-September.

'She has been accepted to the City of Norwich School, and though she probably won't be home for the start of term, it shouldn't be long after.'

Businesses give extra special presents

Alongside gifts from friends and family, a number of local businesses pulled together to offer that little bit extra for the special day.

Potters Resort, in Hopton-on-Sea have pledged to offer the family a short break.

Maisie was also excited to learn she will soon get the chance to get up close and personal with her favourite animal.

Banham Zoo have agreed to offer her a zookeeper's experience, which will see her feed the

meerkats.

She also received a set of new Sony headphones, donated by Hughes electrical store, in White

Lion Street, Norwich.

The gifts, gathered by the Evening News, were topped off with framed copies of her newspaper front page, and a photograph taken by Evening News photographer Antony Kelly.

David Powles, Norwich Evening News editor, said: 'Maisie's story has touched all of us here at the Evening News, so we were keen to do something to help her celebrate her special day.

'Her courage in the face of adversity is an inspiration to so many people and we all hope she had a brilliant birthday.'

Meanwhile, the fundraising campaign set up by her parents has continued to go from strength to strength, with the total now in excess of £6,300.