Young cancer-fighter Leah Xuereb returned to Malta this afternoon to cheers and applause from a small crowd of waiting well-wishers.

The four-year-old Gozitan looked healthy as she appeared at the Arrivals Lounge in the arms of her brother Owen. along with her mother and father.

“Thank you all so much for coming to welcome us home, we are so delighted to be home at long last!,”  her beaming mother Zhana said.

“Leah is doing really well and we are sure that being home surrounded by her family will help her recovery further”.

Grandparents Loretu and Antonia.

Those who greeted Leah included her grandparents Antonia and Loretu.They carried a poster reading ‘Welcome Back Leah’ and also carried flowers and balloons.

Antonia said she had not seen Leah for 13 months because of her hospital treatment in the UK and US.

“Our last Christmas was really miserable and empty  without her. We cannot have a better Christmas this year, ” she said.

Leah was discharged from a specialised cancer hospital in Texas on Saturday.

On November 12, she underwent a complicated 12-hour surgery to remove a very rare form of stomach cancer, after previous treatment in London failed.

 Her mother was grateful for the help the family had received.

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who has been involved in helping Leah and especially the following people: the President, the government and its staff,  Great Ormond Street,  Dr Hayes-Jordan in Texas, The Times of Malta and all of the other media for raising awareness of her situation, KidsnCancer, Puttinu Cares,  Air Malta and the people of Malta & UK for their donations, prayers and unwavering support,  our wonderful families and we give thanks to God for His miracle."

Footage Mark Zammit Cordina. Pictures: Paul Spiteri Lucas