A BRAVE teenager has become the 100th child to undergo a successful lung transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Justine Walker, from Manor View, Hazlemere, underwent the operation a few months ago as she bids to live the life of a normal teenager.

The 14-year-old celebrated reaching the milestone at the world-famous children's hospital on Tuesday, June 21.

She shared the moment with another young girl who became the 200th heart transplant patient.

Justine was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and following a serious lung infection aged nine, she was forced to rely on daily care and medical support.

Before having the transplant, she was virtually housebound having to rely on a lift to get upstairs and a wheelchair to get about outside. She also needed to receive intravenous antibiotics and oxygen on a daily basis. Justine's family are still coming to terms with the remarkable change the operation has had on their daughter.

Her mother, Valerie, said: "I'm over the moon. You cannot really describe how we feel."

Justine, a pupil at Sir William Ramsay in Rose Avenue, Hazlemere is looking forward to doing all the things that her condition has stopped her from taking part in.

She said: "I feel a lot better. I am going out for longer walks without getting tired or getting headaches or going blue. I've also stopped having physio.

"I'm really looking forward to walking home from school with my friends and going to the park. It will all be quite weird. I am also looking forward to starting my GCSEs in September without the disruption of not being well."

Mrs Walker paid tribute to the courage and great strength of character that her daughter has shown throughout her struggle. And Justine offered advice for other people in her position.

She said: "My message to young people with CF awaiting a transplant is to keep positive because you never know when you will get that phone call.

"After the operation, it is very tough and you do experience problems that make you wish you'd never had it done.

"But, with determination, it all gets better and you will be glad you had it done."

Mrs Walker also wanted to offer the family's thanks to Wycombe Hospital which has looked after Justine from birth.