A Moray five-year-old has died from cancer less than two weeks after her “fairytale wedding” moved people all over the world.
Eileidh Paterson was belle of the ball during a touching ceremony at Aberdeen’s Exhibition and Conference Centre last month.
The Forres youngster, who was given a terminal diagnosis in her battle with neuroblastoma earlier this year, beamed as she and six-year-old Harrison Grier were declared “best friends forever”.
VIDEO: Dream “wedding” delight for terminally ill Moray youngster
The celebration was the top item on Eileidh’s bucket list, and footage from the big day has since been viewed millions of times over the internet.
As recently as last week, Eileidh had been planning to attend a Little Mix concert and meet the pop stars afterwards.
Although her declining health prevented her from going, the girl group later recorded a video message sending her “all the love in the world”.
But in a tragic twist of fate Eileidh’s mum, Gail Paterson, said the video did not arrive in time for her daughter to see it.
She added it “meant the world” to her family – particularly her older sister Cerys.
Eileidh’s condition worsened as the weekend approached, as doctors found that the aggressive childhood cancer she spent years fighting had spread into her liver.
Ms Paterson said the disease had taken hold more rapidly than ever before.
The devastated mum confirmed that Eileidh died surrounded by loved ones and “cuddled up with her blankie” at 11.45am on Saturday.
VIDEO: The moment brave Eileidh fulfils her “bucket list” dream… Of swimming with mermaids
The 41-year-old added that her daughter had “won the hearts of everyone” and “will be sorely missed”.
Messages of support poured in from all corners of the globe yesterday after Ms Paterson broke the news of Eileidh’s death.
Australian musician, Amelie Bottrill, has written two songs about Eileidh after becoming inspired by her determination to enjoy life despite illness.
Miss Bottrill paid tribute to the youngster’s “mischievous little smile and expression of unbreakable determination”.
She added: “Eileidh Paterson was so extraordinary that she touched the hearts of thousands of people across the world.”
London-based charity champion, Matt Denning, said: “She will never be forgotten, whenever she was sore she would keep smiling.”
Others reflected on Eileidh’s endearing love of simple pleasures, like splashing in puddles, playing with friends and watching Disney movies.
Eileidh was born on March 14, 2012, and spent the first two years of her life as a happy and healthy tot.
Her family’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in May 2014.
The youngster’s plight reached public attention in April 2015 when a massive fundraising campaign was launched to send her to America for pioneering treatment.
Within two months, people from across the north-east and beyond managed to raise £125,000 to secure her a place on a drugs programme.
Eileidh embarked on the first of a planned eight trips to Michigan to receive medication aimed at reducing the risk of relapse just days after receiving the all-clear.
But her cancer returned in the spring of 2016, before Eileidh was able to complete the course.
Despite a valiant fight against the disease, her doctors advised that she would never be cured in February.
Her heartbroken family set up a bucket list to make the most of Eileidh’s remaining time, with her wedding to Harrison as the most important item.
The event was arranged by children’s entertainment firm Love Rara last month.
Dressed in a shiny pink top, sparkly tiara and bridal veil, the five-year old was walked down the aisle by her older brother Callum to When You Wish Upon a Star.
Hundreds of guests packed into a hall to mark the event, and danced the afternoon away – with a jubilant Eileidh leading the celebrations.
During Eileidh’s “wedding” her sister Cerys read out an excerpt from AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.
She said: “Even if we are apart, I will always be with you.”
Ms Paterson said the gathering, which quickly became a global phenomenon, had given her some “lasting memories”.
