As the sun glazed down Wigan this morning, a carriage being led by two white horses in pink and purple feather boas began to take course down Hindley Green towards St John’s Church.
Followed by hundreds of mourners - all wearing different variations of pink, purple and red accessories - it was a dignified moment for a community that had been touched by the presence of five-year-old Holly Prince.
Young Holly, who had been diagnosed with a rare condition called Bloom Syndrome, died on April 8. In her short life, Holly had gone through not only the difficulties of the syndrome, which can cause immune system deficiencies, but also battled cancer three times.
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Talking to the M.E.N earlier this year, dad Mark explained how Holly first developed a rare kidney cancer shortly after her Bloom Syndrome diagnosis at the age of three. Despite undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy and being declared cancer free last summer, the tumour sadly returned just a few weeks later.
The youngster then had to be placed on a radiotherapy programme which saw her have treatment every day for 15 days. Further scans then showed two more tumours in her body. “She’s such a happy child and she’s missed out on so much," Mark recalled. “We’ve got to keep going and pray for the best.”
Sadly, Holly died on the way home following a hospital visit. Mum Jen, who works as a teacher at Westhoughton High School, said: “Holly passed away cuddled in my arms whilst we were in the car on the way home from the hospital after a day of treatment.
“She didn’t make it home but we believe that’s what Holly wanted. She didn’t want any fuss and she just wanted it
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