TRIBUTES have been paid to brave Coventry youngster Hallie Reeve who lost her battle with Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) over the weekend.
In July, a crowdfunding campaign was launched to raise £1million to fund a potentially life-saving trip to America for the two-year-old to undergo a CAR T-cell therapy trial.
The #rallyforhallie campaign raised over £870,000 in just four months with local organisations including Coventry City football club backing the crowdfunder.
However, in September Hannah Dugdale, Hallie’s aunt who started the GoFundMe page, posted an update saying the complexity of her Leukaemia meant her body wasn’t strong enough for CAR-T therapy.
This morning, Hallie’s father Jamie Reeve released a statement on social media breaking the heartbreaking news she had passed away yesterday (Sunday).
The statement read: “Words will never do you justice Hallie.
“You really were the most gentle, loving, funny, caring, beautiful little girl.
“The purest soul with the most infectious smile.
“My heart will be yours forever. You showed me what true love is and I will never love anyone the way I loved you.
“Thank you for giving me the honour of being you Daddy.
“No more hospitals. No more fighting. No more isolation. You are as free as your beloved birds now baby.
“Nothing will ever be the same again, nor will I.
“Life has shattered my hopes and dreams but I promise you, you will live on through me and I will forever keep your memory alive.
“I wish more than anything you could have stayed with me, but you are just too good for this world.
“I love you and miss you more than I can ever express. It hurts so deeply.
“My body is aching for you but when I close my eyes I can still feel you holding my hand and please hold daddy’s hand forever.
“My love for you will never end, it grows more every day.”
Her grandfather Geoff Wileman also released a tribute on social media.
He said: “My comfort at this time is in the knowledge that during Hallie’s short life she met with only love, kindness and friendship from family, friends, strangers and wonderful medical teams around the world who fought for her. I thank each and every one of you.
“Hallie fought hard for 18 months of her two years to beat leukaemia and many times astounded people with her courage and fortitude, always with her customary smile. Ultimately, the odds proved too great.”
