THE mother of a little Barnsley girl who died of cancer at the age of eight has paid tribute to her ‘amazing little girl’.
Aalish Naylor, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, died on Sunday at the family home in Dodworth.
Her mum Jo, and dad Martin, were at her bedside.
Jo, 41, of Hawthorne Crescent, Dodworth, said the family felt lost following Aalish’s death.
She said: “Aalish was absolutely wonderful. She was amazing.
“She was so straightforward, she would just come out with it. There was no filter.
“She was outgoing, friendly, she loved her school and her friends. She always loved going to Blackpool, and she was the roller coaster queen. The bigger the roller coaster, the better. She was only eight years old, but nothing fazed her. She had no fear of anything.
“I think we are all very much lost. I have lost my right-hand woman. We did everything together, we were Team Aalish. I keep expecting her to walk around the corner.
“Her dad is trying to keep himself busy, he’s just walking around like a lost soul.”
Earlier this year, Aalish was awarded the Young Champions award for triumph over adversity which Jo said she was thrilled about.
She said: “Aalish was elated when she won the Young Champions award. We never to this day thought we’d win that but she was here to receive it and that was amazing.”
She also had strong links with Barnsley Football Club, having struck up friendships with Conor Hourihane and George Moncur, and was a mascot at several matches.
A spokesman for Barnsley FC said: “Barnsley Football Club is saddened to learn that Aalish has passed away.
“Aalish was a much loved and well-known figure amongst the Barnsley fanbase and throughout the town. She was a mascot both at Oakwell and for matches away from home during previous years. Fondly thought of by the players of the club, she sparked up a special friendship with former Barnsley captain, Conor Hourihane and most recently, George Moncur.
“Aalish’s smile could light up a dark room, she was loved by all connected to the club and everyone is deeply saddened to learn she is no longer with us.
“Rest in peace Aalish, Once a Red, Always a Red.”
Aalish was diagnosed in December 2015 with neuroblastoma - a rare form of childhood cancer which affects the nerve tissue - and underwent gruelling chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
But in August last year, her parents were told the chances of her being cured were very slim.
Three months ago, she had more radiotherapy and started two types of chemotherapy after the cancer returned in her head, spine and liver.
But Jo said she never fully recovered from the effects of that round of treatment.
“It just floored her,” she said. “We were supposed to have another round, but every time the date came around she wasn’t ready, or her bloods weren’t ready so it was delayed a couple of times.
“At the end of May I took her to the hospital, and her doctor wanted to do an MRI scan to see what was happening inside as Aalish was in quite severe pain.
“Later that afternoon the doctor called us to say the cancer had progressed even further, especially around her spine and liver.
“That was when she broke the news there was nothing more they could do for Aalish.
“Aalish has beaten this cancer twice, she’s been in remission twice. But the third occasion it came back, it came back in style.
“I will never forgive cancer for what it did to her.”
Helen Otley, head teacher at Keresforth Primary School where Aalish was a pupil, said: “Aalish will be sadly missed by the whole school community. She loved every aspect of school life. She was a strong and determined little girl who always had the biggest smile on her face, which will never be forgotten.”
Along with Jo and Martin, Aalish also leaves a sister Courtney, 20, and a brother Jack, 12.
Her funeral will be held on June 25 in Dodworth, followed by a private cremation.
