THE heartbroken parents of a nine-year-old girl who died within 12 months of being diagnosed with bone cancer today paid tribute to their daughter's steely determination to fight the disease.

Jemma Smith, of Elizabeth Drive, Helmshore, Rossendale, died on Thursday after a tumour in her leg spread to her lungs.

Her proud mum and dad, Elizabeth and Dennis, described her as a bright, intelligent little girl who never complained despite undergoing several courses of chemotherapy and losing her hair.

Mrs Smith said: "She was a very special child.

"She was marvellous, a little treasure with a determined character to change and challenge whatever she could.

"She was informed about the disease all the way, although we avoided telling her it had spread to her lungs."

A pupil at Westholme Middle School, Blackburn, where she recently won a prize for maths, Jemma enjoyed playing the piano and recorder as well as attending a drama group and swimming. After losing her hair she started collecting enamel badges to pin to a hat she wore whenever she went out.

Mrs Smith explained: "The hat is Jemma's testimony. There are badges on it given to her by nurses, friends, family and even complete strangers who would come up to her when we were out. It gave her a lot of pleasure and I will keep it forever."

Jemma, who had friends across East Lancashire, also enjoyed a trip to Lapland in December thanks to the Wish Upon a Star charity fund. She was carried from the plane by Gladiator Saracen and met Father Christmas.

Mr Smith, a company director at Ron Cryer's chain of TV, video and hi-fi stores, which has branches in Blackburn, Accrington and Rawtenstall, said the family had discovered she was ill following a holiday in Sidmouth last year.

He said: "Unfortunately, although we picked up on the cancer almost immediately, it had already spread to her lungs and she was taken straight to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury.

"She had several courses of chemotherapy and even underwent courses of experimental treatment but nothing worked."

The couple, who returned to Sidmouth with Jemma in August to see the solar eclipse, said they knew their daughter was dying from the start. Elizabeth said: "We had no false hope.

"In a way we have been grieving for the last 12 months but I am glad we had that time to be close."

Jemma's godmother Eileen Shaw said: "She was my little angel, a saint. She was always using bright colours and for someone in her condition never showed any sign of any darkness or self pity."

Jemma's funeral was due to be held at St Veronica's RC Church, Helmshore, at 11.45am today followed by cremation at Pleasington at 1pm.

The family have requested donations to be made to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, and thanked the staff there for all their help and support.

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