Tributes have been made to brave 10-year-old girl Poppy Ogle who passed away following a year long battle with cancer.
Poppy Ogle was surrounded by her family and loved ones when she passed away on the morning of Thursday, May 26, breaking the hearts of her parents Sharon and Mark, siblings Maddison and Isaac, along with the wider East Belfast community who the young girl had inspired with courage and kindness.
Throughout her treatment Poppy had only ever been concerned about others and how she could help them, bringing sweets and treats to the children's cancer ward every week and with the help of her friend Olivia raised £1,000 for charity Angel Wishes in the days before her passing.
Read more: East Belfast girl honoured for her bravery during long cancer battle
A passionate member of the Girls Brigade, she was awarded by the organisation for her bravery and kind spirit during her treatment, as she went out of her way to support others despite the tough ordeal she was going through.
Her mother Sharon, told Belfast Live that Poppy had been "an amazing little girl who flourished and shone so bright" and hoped others would celebrate her and the way she was able to bring so many people together.
She also thanked the people of the Cregagh estate for their support, love and kindness, particularly over the past month.
Tributes have been made to the 10-year-old from across Belfast, with Poppy being described as a "beautiful warrior" who touched the hearts of thousands.
During her treatment bands from across Belfast had taken Poppy into their hearts, wearing yellow ribbons at certain events in order to highlight her battle and raise funds for the Children's Cancer Charity.
The Gertrude Star Flute Band said: "It is with a very very heavy heart that we have to inform you that our wee warrior Poppy Ogle has sadly lost her battle to the pure evil disease that is cancer.
"Poppy has been fighting so hard over the last 12 -18 months. And in true Poppy fashion, she took it in her stride throughout it all and she showed how much care and love she had for others by her very own actions.
"Even through some of the most gruelling treatments Poppy was always very much concerned about others. Donations that had been collected were used to buy books and give them out to people going through the same process. Making bracelets to sell so she and her friend could raise money for Children's Cancer charities. That was Poppy down to a tee.
"We want to send our deepest condolences to our esteemed member Mark, Sharon and their family at this very difficult time. We are with you all and are very much firmly fixed in all of our prayers.
"Sleep well Poppy Ogle - our wee warrior."
The 29th Cregagh Congregational Girls Brigade, of which Poppy was a member for many years after following in the footsteps of her older sister, said she would be remembered for her "courage, kindness and sense of humour".
It said: "The 29th NI Girls’ Brigade Company are deeply saddened by the passing of our much loved Junior, Poppy Ogle.
"Devastated by her cancer diagnosis we have witnessed over many months, even throughout the gruelling treatment plans, Poppy’s courage, kindness, sense of humour and her hard work in raising much needed funds for her ‘Angel Wishes’ charity and her thoughtfulness by providing gifts and special treats for the patients and staff in her hospital ward at RBHSC.
"We were so blessed to have Poppy back with us at GB for part of this session bringing with her that beautiful smile. She just fitted right back in as if she’d never been away from us and how proud we were when the GBNI President, Isobel McKane came to our Company on 17th March to present Poppy with the Girls’ Brigade Endurance Award.
"So deserving with everything she’d been through. Our GB family love you Poppy, we will miss you so very much and keep you forever in our hearts. Until we meet again. Nite nite, God Bless."
Charity group Team Dot had been very supportive of Poppy and her family over the past few years and said their hearts had been "broken into a million pieces" following her death.
It said: "This morning our beautiful Poppy passed away after such an awesome fight. She went very peacefully surrounded by everyone she loved.
"As you can imagine this is a very difficult time, please give Sharon, Mark & the rest of the family time to grieve.
"Poppy touched & reached the hearts of thousands but broke our hearts into a million pieces."
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