THE grieving mum of an Accrington schoolgirl has paid tribute to her ‘smiley, happy girl’ ahead of her funeral on Monday.

Twelve-year-old Olivia Diamond, who lived with her family in Moss Hall Road, died of acute myocarditis less than a week after falling ill with the flu.

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Her mum, Angela, said: “Olivia meant everything to us. We are taking it day by day, but instead of getting easier, it’s getting harder. It’s ripped my heart out to be honest.”

Accrington Academy student Olivia first complained about feeling poorly on Saturday, October 4 — four days before she died.

Angela said: “She was out playing with her best friend Macy on Saturday. She came home, and sat and ate biscuits with a glass of milk. After half an hour, she said she did not feel well. She had a headache and felt cold, but she was hot. She was hallucinating and had chest pains in the night.”

The family sought medical advice, before later contacting the family doctor, who prescribed medication.

They took her to Accrington Victoria Hospital on Wednesday after her condition continued to deteriorate.

Olivia was transferred to Manchester Children’s Hospital after medics suspected she had suffered a heart attack.

Angela said: “She had a stent put in to rule out a heart attack. She had to be resuscitated because her blood pressure dropped.

“They said she did not have a heart attack, but said it was very weak. The flu virus got to her heart. The main pump stopped working.

“Olivia knew what was coming because she was spending time individually with me and her dad, Chris. She said she loved us, and did not wake up again.”

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle, and is usually caused by a virus. Cases range in cause and severity. Some recover completely, but it can cause serious health problems.

Former Peel Park Primary School pupil Olivia was also described as the ‘devoted’ sister to Asif, Aleesha, Sophie and Kallie.

Angela said: “She did anything for them. She wanted to become a nurse looking after sick children. She had a lot more to give. I can’t get my head round the fact she is not here anymore.” Olivia was fanatical about horses, and attended Accrington Horse Riding Centre. Her favourite horse, Amos, will be taken to her funeral, Angela said.

Olivia’s body will be taken from her old nursery school Little Tinkers, in Laneside Avenue, on to Peel Park Primary School, in Alice Street, and then to Accrington Academy in Queens Road West, in a horse-drawn carriage.

Her funeral service will be held later, at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Clayton-le-Moors from 1.30pm.

Mourners have been asked to attend dressed in the way Olivia would have known them.

Donations in lieu of family flowers can be made to Macmillan Cancer Support, via Champ Funeral Services in Clayton-le-Moors.