The Galway girl who inspired the Late Late Toy Show appeal has passed away.
12-year-old Saoírse Ruane died on Tuesday after a long illness.
She appeared on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020 where she discussed being diagnosed with cancer and helped to launch the inaugural Toy Show Appeal.
Her family say she inspired so many people in her short life and will be missed beyond measure.
She is survived by her parents, Ollie and Roseanna, and her younger sister Farrah-Rose and half-sister Rebecca.
A notice on RIP.ie read: "It is with broken hearts the Ruane family announces the passing of their beautiful daughter and sister, Saoírse, who passed away peacefully at home, after a long illness bravely borne, in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna, on Tuesday."
At aged seven, Saoírse was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had a rare, life-threatening tumour on her leg.
On the Toy Show, she shared the story of how she lost her right leg to cancer and how she learned to walk with her prosthetic leg.
In recent years, Saoírse was diagnosed with further tumours, undergoing a major “fight for her life” operation to remove a tumour in her lung in 2022.
The tumour returned last year and her family shared a “devastating” update in November last when they were informed that Saoírse’s cancer had spread to her other lung.
In an Instagram post, her mother said: “When there are no words. After a long, courageous and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you our beautiful little Saoirse took her final breath in our arms on Tuesday.
“We thank you our lovely followers for holding Saoirse and us in your thoughts these past few weeks.
“We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoirse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many people’s lives.
“Cancer you stole her from us, the life we had and our dreams.
“Life will never be the same.”
