A GRIEVING mother has spoken of her brave little girl who proved doctors wrong when they said she may never walk or talk.

Seven-year-old Sarah Jane Barnes was a popular and well-loved girl, and since her death her mother Pamela and step-dad Adrian Johnson have received more than 150 sympathy cards at their home at Raven Avenue, Helmshore.

Sarah Jane had cerebral palsy, but doctors said it did not contribute to her death. At first it was thought she had suffered an allergic reaction to a wasp sting, but tests confirmed she had a brain haemorrhage. Pamela said: "The cerebral palsy was mild and only affected her when it came to doing intricate tasks.

"She could walk and talk, which doctors thought she might never be able to do.

"She attended Stepping Stones Special Nursery, Puddleducks and Hillside and this helped her when she started at Helmshore Primary School. "She absolutely loved school and she lived life to the full.

"She used to go horse riding at a school for the disabled at Holcombe Brook, she was a member of Helmshore Christian Fellowship, went to the Link Club at Rawtenstall for disabled children and used to be a Rainbow guide at St Thomas' Musbury Church."

Sarah's funeral was held on Friday when a joint service was conducted at St Mary's Church, Rawtenstall, by the Rev David Parkin and members of the fellowship. She was buried in Rawtenstall Cemetery. Pamela said: "Sarah Jane was a big fan of Blackburn Rovers and last year she went on a trip round Ewood Park and had a football kit bought for her.

"I was glad that Rovers won last week and went top of the Premiership because when we buried Sarah Jane they were the champions."

The church was packed for Sarah Jane's funeral which her mum described as a celebration of her life.

She added: "She was a very popular girl and very determined to try everything in life. She will be very sadly missed."

Donations in lieu of flowers have been made to Stepping Stones Nursery, Haslingden.

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