Tributes have come pouring in for a "brave warrior" who will be "forever young".
Young Aria Hodgkiss, from North Wales, lost her battle with an aggressive tumour at the age of four. On the day of her third birthday last year, she was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) - of which there is no current cure.
Her devastated parents Melanie and Carl were told their daughter may not live beyond her fourth birthday as she was given just 12-months to live. Her family took to social media to announce the tragic news that the "brave warrior" had died on December 1.
READ MORE: Little girl diagnosed with aggressive tumour on third birthday dies
They wrote: "Our brave warrior, our baby girl Aria passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at 12.30am. We are absolutely devastated and we have no idea how we will carry on each day. But, we promise you that we will carry on for you. We love you so so much Aria."
Tributes have since come pouring in since the heartbreaking news was shared. ECHO reader Margaret Ann Stenson said: "RIP Aria. So sad reading this. Thoughts are with the family." Natalie Roberts added: "Poor little baby. Sleep peacefully little one."
Kirsty Fenton wrote: "My heart goes to her family, child loss is the single most harrowing experience of your life. I’m so sorry", as Susan Smith said: "Sending love to you little one sleeping with the angels God bless you and your family. So sorry for the loss of your little girl."
Aria's symptoms first appeared in September 2020 when her parents Melanie and Carl started to notice that she was losing her balance and her mobility was becoming increasingly impaired. Keen to prolong her life, a GoFundMe page had been set up, which had also caught the attention of Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
The life expectancy from diagnosis typically is between nine months and a year and the only NHS treatment currently available is radiotherapy, which will solely prolong a life by about six months.
Messages of support have been sent to the family as ECHO reader Janet Glover said: "That's is so, so sad my heart goes out to you and your family just before Christmas, why is life so cruel?" Alison Ennis wrote: "RIP beautiful girl forever young."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Nurse explains why she is going on strike
Failed New Chinatown investors will get money back from sale
Families brawl in park as knife and barbecue fork found in bloody fall out
Faces of 40 Liverpool criminals who were jailed during November
Mum's nightmare after son never came home from Christmas party
