Mourners have turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of cancer-stricken Scots youngster Olivia Downie.
The seven-year-old, from Fraserburgh, had battled the rare childhood cancer Neuroblastoma since first being diagnosed in 2009. She died peacefully at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with her family by her side last Friday.
More than £150,000 was raised in heartfelt donations from the public to bring Olivia home from Mexico after she travelled with her parents across the Atlantic to receive specialist treatment in a “last-ditch” effort to save her.
When the treatment sadly failed, her parents Lauren and Steven issued an urgent appeal to the public to bring the family home so that little Olivia could die in Scotland.
The youngster was buried at Kirkton Cemetery in Fraserburgh on Thursday, following a service at the town’s Old Parish Church.
Reverend Peter Park, who led the service, said Olivia had “touched many people” in her short life.
He said: “In her short life and during her illness she had a great affect on many people and a lot of support was given both locally, then nationally, and internationally with her trip to Mexico.
“I spoke to her parents today who said they are so, so pleased that they were able to take her to Mexico and to then be able to bring her back. They said that there were not enough words to describe how much they appreciated people both known and unknown to them who rallied round and showed such kindness.”
The minister added that it was a “fitting legacy” that Olivia’s plight has raised awareness of the rare childhood disease.
He said: “Her plight has definitely raised a lot of awareness and made people aware that there are other children out there who suffer from the disease and that treatments are available.”
Her parents asked people to wear something purple to her funeral and to give donations, in lieu of flowers, to Logan’s Fund.
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