A heartbroken sister has paid tribute to Newcastle United super fan who has sadly died aged just 29.
Kelly Marie-Pearce, was a long-time sufferer of congestive heart failure and had her first pacemaker fitted aged just 13.
She developed CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) when her pacemaker became dislodged and embedded itself under her armpit. This movement caused internal nerve damage that was incredibly painful to Kelly.
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Kelly's younger sister Kimberley Hart has spoken about her battle with the illness and said she will "miss her forever".
"I noticed Kelly starting to get poorly in middle school. I remember when she was 13 she was taken to Great Ormond Street hospital and her BPM dropped as low as 32," she said.
"Later in life whilst fighting her illness, she came out as gay to me and entrusted me with telling our friends and family. I think that this gave her a huge confidence boost. She was also great with my kids and acted like a second mum to them", she said.
"She had three cats and she cared for them deeply. She was always so protective of me growing up so I tried to repay her by looking after her when she got ill.
"She always tried to make everyone's lives around her the best that they could be. I am relieved that she is no longer in pain and I will miss her forever. She deserved the world and that is what I tried to give her."
Kelly, from East Suffolk, was a huge fan of Alan Shearer growing up and it was this, combined with her general love of football, that led to her following Newcastle United from then onwards.
She also loved the music of singer songwriter Lucy Spraggan and had met her several times at her shows.
Even so, it came as a massive surprise to Kimberley and the rest of Kelly's family when Lucy donated £500 to their Gofundme page that aimed to pay for the funeral that Kelly has planned.
"Lucy knew Kelly from seeing her at a few shows and said she was always a friendly face. I was so shocked and overwhelmed when my husband came into the room and told me that Lucy had donated such a large amount in her memory", said Kimberley.
Currently, £2,750 out of the £3500 goal to pay for Kelly's send off has been raised and Kimberley has been blown away by the generosity of everyone that has donated.
"On behalf of my family and myself I want to say thank you for the overwhelming donations from everyone," she said. "I'm humbled by so many strangers, friends and families' kindness and selflessness."
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/kelly-my-smelly-our-battery-operated-kelly
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