Bonnie Spence, a six-year-old from County Durham, has died after a battle with terminal rhabdoid sarcoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer. She died on Wednesday with her mother Zoey, stepmother Caroline, father Iain, and siblings by her side.
A life filled with joy
Her stepmum Caroline Spence said: 'She was the happiest little girl, it's just not fair.' The family had launched a GoFundMe in February to 'fit 18 years of childhood into Bonnie's life in a year.' The campaign allowed them to take Bonnie to Disneyland with her siblings and get her a shiba inu puppy named Hana.
Bonnie also walked out as a mascot with Bruno Guimaraes ahead of Newcastle United's Champions League match against PSV, and was a mascot for her father's favourite team, Glasgow Rangers.
Final days and memories
Recently, Bonnie's illness meant more time at home or in hospital. In June, she caught the flu but fought back after medics feared she might not survive. Just last week, Caroline and Iain took her on her last days out. Caroline said: 'We went to Tynemouth and managed to take her for fish and chips and ice cream, and we went to Spanish City. We squeezed a trip to the Metrocentre in last week too. At home, she loved her little ukulele that she got at Hexham Car Boot fair, she used to strum it all the time in the living room.'
Caroline added that Bonnie was smiling until the end and wanted to watch her favourite Disney princess Ariel from The Little Mermaid as she fell asleep for the final time.
Community support
Caroline posted on Facebook: 'The most beautiful girl to grace our world has passed on into heaven. Our Bonnie was the light of our lives and the world will forever be a darker place without her. You put up the biggest fight you could, but your little body was just too weak. We promise to always keep your memory alive.'
The GoFundMe set up to help Bonnie and her family make memories has raised more than £36,000. Caroline said: 'I'd just like to thank everyone who has supported and helped us and donated experience days or to the GoFundMe so we could have that time with her.'
