Hundreds of mourners packed an Angus church yesterday to pay their last respects to “butterfly girl” Adana Forsyth.
The 10-year-old from Montrose died peacefully in her sleep last Saturday.
Adana suffered from the painful skin disorder epidermolysis bullosa (EB), sometimes called butterfly syndrome, which caused her skin to blister and peel off at the slightest touch.
Adana and her mother Dianne, 37, became known throughout Scotland as they devoted their efforts to raising awareness of the condition.
They represented EB charity Debra (dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa research association) all over the country, making television and personal appearances, and also raised funds to support research into a cure.
After Adana was born and news of her condition spread through the town, her acceptance and tolerance of her condition captured the hearts of the people of Montrose.
Many individuals and organisations rallied round to raise funds to help purchase specialist equipment for her.
Montrose Old and St Andrew’s Church was full to capacity with the youngster’s school friends and townspeople.
Many of the mourners, at her family’s request, wore a touch of pink, Adana’s favourite colour.
The service also featured some of Adana’s favourite music, including Tomorrow from the musical Annie.
Many more people gathered outside the church and the street fell silent as a horse-drawn hearse carried her small coffin to the town’s Sleepyhillock Cemetery.
Old and St Andrew’s Church minister the Rev Ian McLean said the way Adana had dealt with her condition had been an inspiration.
He added: “We must remember that Adana was a lovely little girl who had a wonderful personality that people fell in love with, warmed to, even the first time they met her.
“She was an inspiration. She had a beautiful smile and had eyes that shone and spoke. She could say more with one look than many people could say with many words.”
Adana is survived by her parents Dianne and Peter, 44, her 15-year-old sister Tanis and brother Cody, 12.