Brave Niamh loses fight against illness

The nine-year-old passed away in her parents’ arms on Friday at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

This week her family paid tribute to the bright and clever youngster and pledged that her death will not be in vain.

The Dinnington Guardian featured Niamh’s plight earlier this year and urged people to help the St Joseph’s pupil.

She had undergone operations and countless bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but each time the tumour returned.

Family, friends - and complete strangers - rallied to help and raised money while her parents Simon and Marie searched for a way to treat her.

They considered sending her to America and Niamh also managed to get onto a clinical trial in Leeds.

But scans revealed the tumour had returned for a fourth time.

This week her family, of Maple Avenue, Maltby, thanked supporters for their generosity, and pledged the money raised will go to help other children.

Simon and Marie said: “At one minute past seven on Friday morning we lost our beautiful Niamh; she passed away peacefully in her sleep and in our arms at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, where she spent the last week. Our loss is now Heaven’s gain.”

“Although she is finally without pain, and even though we were expecting it, I’m sure it goes without saying that we are absolutely devastated.”

“As you may know, caring for Niamh meant we have both been unable to work for almost 18 months but the financial support from so many well wishers, many of whom we didn’t even know, enabled us to maintain some sort of normality in our lives, and provide much needed stability for both Niamh and her brother, Sebastian.”

“Thank you to everyone who gave their time and their skills in various areas, to those who made donations large and small, helped to organise events, took part in fund raising events, sponsored those who took part, or provided a conduit to various charities etc – without your support, life would have been very different and I honestly do not know how we would have managed.”

“As a result of your kindness and generosity, which we will never be able to repay, we were able to concentrate all our efforts towards Niamh to make sure she had every possible medical opportunity.”

“Money was vital throughout this time, of course, and we will never be able to thank you enough for that, but the emotional support we all received was equally welcome; it certainly proved the old adage that it is in times of trouble you discover your real friends.”

“Nothing ever could, and nothing ever will, make the pain go away, but your support was, and still is, so important – you will probably never know just how much it means to all of us, but you can be sure that we will always remember who our real friends are.”

Her grandfather Brendan said: “It is an amazing thing that everyone has done. Thank you to everyone who has helped - a lot of people have done a lot of events.”

“All the people who have fundraised have been stupendous. Some people, complete strangers, sent money to Simon and Marie and said it’s for you to live and your living expenses.”

“The money will not go to waste. It can’t help Niamh now but it can help others. We are going to make donations to Bluebell Wood and other children’s charities.”

“We’ll miss her cheeky smile - it will stay with all of us.”

Niamh was able to do some wonderful things over the last few months including meeting boyband One Direction, which she described as ‘the best day of her life,’ visiting Father Christmas in Lapland and visiting Center Parcs.

Emma Lear, headteacher at St Joseph’s Primary where Niamh was a pupil, said the school and the community had been left devastated by her death.

She said: “Everyone in the community had been supporting Niamh and her family through fundraising, prayer and acts of amazing kindness.”

“Individual children went to great lengths to raise money - they were involved in everything from singing for friends and family, to baking and selling buns, to taking part in long distance sponsored runs - it was incredible to see everyone pull together - but what a worthy cause.”

“Niamh was a very special little girl - it goes without saying that she was courageous and strong, fighting her illness with such dignity and bravery. But she was also such a bright, fun-loving, creative, funny little girl - full of joy and love for her family, her friends and her school. She will be so sorely missed at St Joseph’s.”

“At this difficult time, we are asking for people’s prayers to help the family come to terms with the loss of a bright, beautiful, kind and courageous little girl.”

Cards and messages of condolence can be sent to Niamh’s family via the school. Mrs Lear said the school was considering ways in which it can celebrate Niamh’s life and continue her memory in school.

Niamh’s funeral will take place on Thursday 19th July at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dinnington at 1pm and everyone is invited to attend.

Niamh loved to dress up in smart clothes and her parents have requested that people dress accordingly, but no black ties or sombre outfits. Niamh’s favourite colours were pink and yellow, so everyone is asked to wear something smart which incorporates the colours.

Simon and Marie have asked for family flowers only, but donations can be made to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.