A BRAVE little girl's dreams came true this week when she was granted a special wish.

Five-year-old Aliki Vlachos returned from school to her home in Broadlands Drive, Malvern, on Tuesday to find the Make-A-Wish Foundation had gathered her friends and family together to present her with a big dolls' house with chunky furniture.

Aliki suffers from Leigh's Disease, a rare disorder characterised by a degeneration of the central nervous system. In Aliki's case it prevents her from talking and crying and also standing up unaided.

"It was a complete surprise for her, and what she understands about it I'm not sure, but as soon as I saw the doll's house I knew she'd be thrilled," said Aliki's mother Julie. "It's been lovely for her and now she just wants to keep playing with it."

Aliki's six-year-old brother Alexandros is also a sufferer, although his symptoms are less pronounced, and it is believed only seven people worldwide suffer their particular form of the disease.

Both attend the Manor Park special school in Worcester, which Julie said had done wonders for Aliki in particular.

"She's very happy, and since she has been there she has made fantastic progress," she said. "When she was first diagnosed at 15 months she was given two weeks to live. She's defying the odds at the moment and doing very well."

Aliki's wish was one of 21 being granted by Make-A-Wish in the space of a week to celebrate its 21st anniversary.

Next month it will return to Malvern to grant Alexandros his own wish, a trip to Tobermory in Scotland, the setting for his favourite TV programme Balamory.