Perth ’s Lily Douglas tragically died on Sunday evening.
The inspirational 14-year-old who had battled with cancer was at home, curled up on the sofa with her mum when she passed just after 7pm.
In sharing the heart-breaking news, mum Jane revealing that her incredibly courageous daughter had ‘danced her way to heaven’.
Lily, from North Muirton in Perth, bravely battled Ewing Sarcoma - a rare type of cancer that affects bones or the tissue around bones - since 2017.
She arrived at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary on Friday January 14 to begin a potential breakthrough drug trial, but before doctors could get started, on Thursday, January 15 she suffered a brain bleed.
Medics told Jane they were not sure if Lily would last the night and that if she did survive, they ‘didn’t know what damage would be done’.
Brave Lily managed to open her eyes on Sunday 16 and was able to chat to her mum, eat something and even check her phone for messages.
She was allowed to go home to Scotland. Jane asked for privacy and prayers.
But last night, Sunday 23, Jane confirmed the youngster had ‘danced her way to heaven’ after passing away at 7.17pm.
In a statement issued on Facebook, Jane wrote: “Her heart failed but she was on the sofa at home, cuddled into me where she wanted to be.
“She will leave a massive hole in my heart. If love could have saved her she would have lived to a million years old.
“She is at peace and is finally in no more pain.
“Even with cancer, Lily lived her best life and was loved by everyone. I hope I made her proud.
“I was her mum, we were a great team.”
Lily had an older brother. Mum Jane added: “Please keep Leon in your prayers, he will need lots of love and support.
“It’s not goodbye, she will be waiting on me. It’s only time that will keep us apart.”
“She looks so beautiful and peaceful and even died with her beautiful, blonde hair.
“Thank you all for your love and support. I could not have done this without you all.”
Lily’s inspirational fight saw her scoop a Pride of Scotland Award last year where she was crowned Teenager of Courage.
She did a sponsored walk to raise money for others.
Her tenacity did not go unrecognised by a host of famous faces.
Strictly Come Dancing icon Dame Arlene Phillips built a strong bond with the St John’s RC Academy schoolgirl.
Arelene, 78, said on the show: “One of the bravest, most fearless girls is a little girl I know called Lily Douglas, she’s so fearless.”
Lily was the inspiration for Arlene to go on ‘I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here’.
“I thought, here I am afraid of so many things. What better way can you push yourself than to do something like this?”
Closer to home, Lewis Capaldi gave Lily ‘the best day of her life’ when he invited her on stage when he performed at TRNSMT in 2019.
The Someone You Loved singer sent a video message to Lily at an awards ceremony before striking up a friendship over Instagram.
He invited her and pal Yasmin Chan from Craigie to come meet him in the artist village backstage - where he surprised her with the chance of a lifetime to hang out side stage.
In November 2020 supporters arranged for Scone Palace to be lit up in pink lights in tribute to Lily when she came home to Perth after a particularly difficult time in hospital.
Thousands of people have been touched by the teenager’s death. On social media messages were left expressing the terrible loss felt at the bright light going out after four years of bravery and smiles.
One message said: “She was a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart.”
Another added: “Jane I am so, so heartbroken for your loss, she was such an amazing girl.”
