A BRAVE girl from Bournemouth who has been battling a rare form of cancer has lost her fight for life just weeks after being given a bravery award.

Amelia-Grace Cooper, eight, was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that usually occurs in children under five, in January last year.

She endured a nine-hour operation as well as a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and rounds of chemotherapy but the family were told this year that the cancer had returned.

Despite the courageous youngster deciding not to have any more treatment she was the guest of honour at the Cancer Research UK and TK Maxx Little Stars Awards party recently, picking up an award and meeting celebrities including ex-Eastender Kara Tointon.

Mum Chantel Cooper said: “We knew it was going to happen but you never believe that day will ever arrive.

“Amelia-Grace was so special. She faced so many challenges and horrible treatments but always managed to make someone laugh.

“I’ve had messages from people all over the world saying how much she inspired them with her obvious love of life.”

The family had set-up a fund to enable the youngster to have as many enjoyable experiences as possible, The Amelia Cooper Fund, which has now become The Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund.

They want to use money given to them to enable other local youngsters with serious illnesses to have the same experiences.

Chantel added: “Amelia would have wanted others to have the same experiences she did. We want to use this money to help others, whether it’s for an Xbox or a day for a family at Legoland.”

Amelia’s funeral will be held at Corpus Christi church in Boscombe on Wednesday.