Girl, nine, loses battle with brain tumour

Niamh Power, from Maltby, near Rotherham, had undergone three operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but none of the treatments were successful and her parents had started to look elsewhere.

She died on Friday morning at the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Anston, near Rotherham. Groups around South Yorkshire had raised thousands of pounds for the Hope for Niamh campaign.

Niamh’s mother Marie and father Simon said on the appeal’s website yesterday: “At one minute past seven on Friday morning we lost our beautiful Niamh, she passed away peacefully in her sleep and in our arms at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

“Although she is finally without pain, and even though we were expecting it, I’m sure it goes without saying that we are absolutely devastated.”

The family said Niamh’s funeral will be held next week.