Tragic toddler who 'married' her dad loses brave battle with cancer

A tragic toddler who 'married' her father after she was diagnosed with cancer has died.
Poppy-Mai Barnard, one, died in her father’s arms at 1.16pm, after which her heartbroken dad Andy announced his “princess” had “grown her angel wings.”
Poppy’s father previously “married” her to fulfil his promise to give her a white wedding when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The tot died in her father's arms while her mother stroked her hair www.photo-features.co.uk

The tot, by this point adored across the country, also came second to Boaty McBoatface in the contest to choose a name for a new polar research vessel.
In a message to her thousands of supporters of Facebook, her father wrote: “Poppy-Mai India Barnard, our beautiful princess grew her angel wings this afternoon.
“She was in my arms with her mummy stroking her head.
“I thought it was the right thing to do to let all of you special people know.
“Thank you all for travelling on our journey with us.”

She came second to Boaty McBoatface in the contest to choose a name for a new polar research vessel. www.photo-features.co.uk

Andy and Poppy-Mai’s mum, Sammi, were devastated in February when their beloved child was diagnosed with a malignant rhabdoid tumour and a brain tumour. Sammi had to break the news to her husband over the phone. Despite doctors saying she had “just days to live”, Poppy spent another eight weeks with her family.
Her inspirational yet tragic story was detailed on Facebook in “The Journal of Poppy-Mai.”

In February she was diagnosed with a malignant rhabdoid tumour and a brain tumour www.photo-features.co.uk¿

After Poppy’s death, the page was inundated with 5000 messages of condolences in just three hours.
There was also a surge in giving to the family’s JustGiving page, with £600 donated in the same amount of time.
Andy said there were so many donations he had begun to give items to local charity shops.

Over 5000 messages of condolences were posted on the Facebook page in just three hours

He said: “People’s kindness has been extraordinary, they took Poppy-Mai to their hearts and to know she was loved makes us so proud.”
The family hope to raise £100,000 to pay for a campsite retreat for families with sick children.
The total currently stands at £29,000.

 

 

The family are now fundraising to create a campsite retreat for families with sick children

Her father added: “We will keep our promise to our princess.
“Poppy-Mai’s death will not be in vain.
“We thank everyone who has donated from the bottom of our hearts, focusing on building this has kept us strong and it will be achieving this for her that keeps us going.
“We could not save Poppy-Mai but we can do this for her and we will.
“Her legacy will live on.
“She touched lives around the world and will never be forgotten.”