Rhianna Benson
A 10-year-old girl has tragically passed away following a life-long battle with a complex heart condition.
Birmingham school girl Elsiee Bose was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at birth, a condition which means the left ventricle of the heart which pumps blood is much smaller than normal.
Throughout her inspirational life, Elsiee underwent over ten serious operations, including five open heart surgeries.
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The youngster famously never let her condition prevent her from living life to the fullest, however, as she barely missed a day of school.
Mum-of-three Alicia McNally, 28, said of her daughter: "She was an actual living angel and was absolutely perfect. She lit up every single room she walked into and was such a lovely girl.
"She was insistent on going to school and seeing her friends even in the times when she was sent home for end-of-life [care]. We brought her home for Christmas in the hope we'd get as much time with her as possible."
Alicia added: "Elsiee had been suffering with heart failure for the last five years. But to look at her you would never know.
"She started going downhill in June and was getting a big fluid build up and her stomach started to swell quite a bit. We were told these were the symptoms of end-stage heart failure."
Acocks Green-born Elsiee was added to the urgent transplant list back in September this year, but after her condition sadly deteriorated, she returned home to be with her family.
"She was sent home as end-of-life in June and she got better - she did what none of the doctors thought was possible. We went back to hospital again in July as the fluid built again," Alicia explained.
"She was sent home again as end-of-life and fought and fought and fought. I could feel she wasn't ready to give up. She got better again and was losing the fluid."
She died peacefully just days later at her home on December 10, surrounded by her family, including mum Alicia and dad Stuart Bose, 29.
A GoFundMe page was soon set up by Elsiee's loved ones, including her cousin Sian Hanna, to pay for her funeral, which is set to take place on 11 January at Olton Friary in Solihull.
Sian wrote on the website: "Elsiee was the most inspirational, bravest, strongest and beautiful girl. Us all as a family and also friends had the honour of spending the most special ten years with her and they were the best ten years of our lives.
"Elsiee has fought so hard for the whole ten years of her life, every obstacle she had to face she beat all odds every single time from the moment she was born. On Sunday, December 10 Elsiee sadly passed away peacefully at home with the two most special people by her side.. her mommy and daddy.
"Elsiee is now at peace and finally out of all the pain and she will always be loved endlessly and missed every single day️. Elsiee has touched so many people's hearts it just goes to show how loved she was by everyone. I have set this up on my behalf to help towards giving Elsiee the best send off we could wish for.
"I hope you're having the best time up in heaven our special little angel. Now it’s time for you to rest in perfect peace and free from all the pain until we see your beautiful little face again."
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.