A LITTLE girl battling a rare form of cancer has lost her fight for life.

Niamh Storey-Davidson, nine, died at home in Brighton with her parents Adam and Gilli by her side.

Niamh was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumour in 2012 after doctors discovered a lump the size of a rugby ball on her left kidney.

The cancer affects about 70 children in the UK each year. The tumour had wrapped itself around her spleen and also spread to her lungs.

She had more than 70 weeks of chemotherapy, three major operations, a stem cell transplant and radiotherapy but the cancer returned earlier this year and she died on November 13.

An urgent campaign launched in the summer to raise the money to send Niamh for potentially life-saving treatment abroad sparked a huge community response, raising more than £50,000.

The fundraising will continue in Niamh’s name and the money will now go to the charity Bethany’s Wish, which funds research into Wilms’ tumour.

In a statement on Facebook, Mrs Storey-Davidson paid tribute to her “beautiful, brave and precious” daughter and explained how the family took the decision to donate her organs.

She said: “A light has gone out in our family but she will shine on in all that knew her.

“As a family we made a decision that we knew would have been what she wanted. She always wanted to make a difference to others.

“She became a donor and her beautiful eyes will help another child to see. She was the first child donor the team have dealt with.

“As some of you know, organ donation is an issue very close to us, after Niamh's brother Ethan was given a life-saving heart transplant as a baby.

“Can I ask, in memory of Niamh, please would you sign the organ donor register today, if you haven't already, and most importantly talk to your family about your wishes.

“Our lives will never be the same without you Niamh. We will love you and miss you always and forever.”

Niamh’s funeral service on Tuesday will be a private ceremony for close family and friends but anyone who wants to pay their respects is invited to gather near the family home in Harrington Villas from 10.45am to follow the hearse up the road.

Niamh loved dogs, so anyone with dogs would be welcome to bring them.

To support the appeal, people are asked to go online and donate at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Niamhs Fund or you can also visit the Niamh’s Fund Facebook page for more information on the campaign.