A teenager is to study micro-biology at university after being inspired by her young brother who has battled against a rare genetic condition.

Emily Double wants to embark on a career helping children like five-year-old Jack Starkey, who was born with DiGeorge syndrome.

The former student at South Craven School at Cross Hills, near Skipton, will start at Leeds University in October studying micro-biology and immunology.

“The university has given me the place and I can’t wait to help other children who have genetic diseases that cause immune deficiencies, just like Jack,” said Emily, of Cowling.

She said she was thankful to Jack’s doctor, whom she met at the university open day and knew how interested in the subject she was.

Emily, 18, said: “It was seeing the children in the immunology department when I went with Jack that made me want to do something to help.

“I go frequently with my mum and have been inspired by my brother.”

Her mum, Suzanne, a mother-of-four who helps run Nursery Corner in Worth Way, Keighley, said she was very proud of her daughter’s achievement.

“I was amazed how well she did – but she has worked very hard through all the stress that the family has faced.

“I have not pushed her – I don’t believe in that – she has done this entirely because she wants to help children who suffer like Jack.

“For example, she was due to take her GCSE maths on the day that Jack went in for open heart surgery – and she came out with an A. She is brilliant.”

Mrs Starkey has raised £5,000 for Leeds General Infirmary, the hospital that cares for her son.

It was raised at a dinner at Leeds Marriott Hotel for her 40th birthday, the money going specifically to the hospital’s Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.

She added: “Jack has spent 14 weeks of his young life in ward ten and we wanted to do something to say thank you.

“I would like to thank everyone who came to the dinner and the businesses which donated prizes – I was touched by the generosity and the night went fantastically.”

To support the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, which provides equipment and raises funds for other projects, contact fundraiser Debbie Exley on (0113) 3925 907.