A TEENAGER who missed her chance to carry the Olympic torch after suffering a brain haemorrhage has spoken for the first time since coming out of a coma.


Grace Boxall, 14, who founded the charity Smiles with Grace after being diagnosed with a brain tumour five years ago, told her parents “I love you” this morning (Wednesday) from her bed in Great Ormond Street Hospital.


The Chigwell School pupil, of Fernside, Buckhurst Hill, was nominated as a torchbearer for her fundraising work, which has included raising £9,000 for Great Ormond Street, the Dream Factory and her neurosurgeon’s research fund with a sponsored walk.


She was supposed to carry the torch down Cranbrook Road in Ilford on Sunday, which her family said would have been the “icing on the cake” after what she had been through.


But Grace suffered a devastating haemorrhage on July 11, which left her in a coma.


Her mum, Karen Boxall, 49, who carried the torch on her behalf, said: “There are not words to explain how unjust and unfair the whole thing is, but she’s a fighter.


“She’d been in a coma for a week. She’s progressing now and she’s still lying in bed and can’t do too much.


“Her right side can’t move, but she’s definitely getting a little bit better.


“She’s spoken, which is a huge move forward – she said ‘I love you’.”


She said doctors were still investigating the cause of the haemorrhage, but thought it was likely to be linked with Grace’s tumour, although she is in remission.


Mrs Boxall took the torch she carried back to the hospital on Sunday to show Grace and said she was aware of the day’s events.


“We really wanted to do it for her,” said Mrs Boxall. “It was obviously bittersweet for me, but everybody was very excited and the crowds were quite deep.”


To donate to Grace’s charity, visit justgiving.com/smileswithgrace.