Scots girl, 12, airlifted 170 miles to Glasgow for 'life-saving' operation to remove spinal tumour

The family of a girl from the Black Isle who was airlifted 170 miles to Glasgow for a life-saving operation to remove a tumour in her spine have thanked air ambulance crews.

Parents Maru and Kenny “faced their worst fears” when their healthy and fun-loving 12-year-old daughter Alma was diagnosed with a spinal tumour.

The schoolgirl was rushed to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, where an MRI scan revealed a tumour on her spine, requiring an emergency operation to drain a build-up of fluid within her brain.

To have the life-saving surgery, the operation had to be carried out by neurosurgeons at Glasgow’s Royal Children’s Hospital, more than 170 miles away from home.

Alma’s surgeries were followed by intensive chemotherapy, carried out at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. SCAA

Alma endured an eight-hour operation to remove the spinal tumour, but within two weeks, fluid had gathered on her brain again, and she faced a third operation within three weeks to fit a permanent shunt.

The surgeries were followed by intensive chemotherapy, carried out at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

“She lost her appetite and wasn’t eating well,” Maru recalled.

“After a few months of losing weight, she developed pains in her head and back and felt sick in the mornings.

“Our GP wasn’t overly concerned until one day she woke up vomiting and seeing double.

“It was a dreadful time – our world just fell apart. It’s so difficult to comprehend that your little girl is suffering so much and that her life was hanging in the balance and could be snatched away.”

The SCAA provide its air ambulance to escort Alma and her family to Glasgow for her operation.

Praising the SCAA, Maru added: “The chemo was hard but has been really effective. She faces a long and difficult road ahead, but thanks to SCAA, she has a second chance at life.

“We will never be able to thank the charity for what they have done for our family. They were lifesavers when we needed them most. I can’t bear to think what would have happened to Alma without SCAA.

“SCAA was key to Alma’s survival. She needed to be in Glasgow quickly, and SCAA fulfilled that role.

“It was an emergency, but to do it so smoothly and keep everyone calm to minimise the stress for Alma – and her dad, who flew with her – was tremendous. The crew were absolutely fabulous.

“Alma was conscious, and they kept her cheery. She loved the flight and SCAA’s paramedics gave her a teddy which she named Jodi after one of the nurses at Raigmore.”

Her teachers and classmates at Avoch Primary School staged a Zumbathon in April last year to raise money for SCAA.

Maru added: “It was heartbreaking to see Alma in hospital, dealing with operations when she should have been at school in her last month of Primary 7, enjoying life with her friends.

“Alma missed out on her final days at primary school and her first year at secondary school.

“To see over 100 people – friends, teachers, and members of the local community – dancing in her name was very emotional. It was a generous and wonderful thing to do, and I will always cherish that moment as a very special one.

“We managed to raise £7,866, which was fantastic. A group of cyclist friends helped to raise more funds at a mountain biking event in June 2025.”

You can view more information about the charity here.