Terminally-ill blind girl, 4, who received hundreds of Christmas cards from well-wishers after global appeal dies in hospital
Blind Ezmae Catley suffered from multiple and complex medical conditions, including brain damage, dystonia, cerebral palsy and an undiagnosed genetic disorder
A LITTLE girl who was sent hundreds of Christmas cards from strangers all over the world has died at just four years old.
Blind Ezmae Catley suffered from multiple and complex medical conditions, including brain damage, dystonia, cerebral palsy and an undiagnosed genetic disorder.
The youngster received dozens of cards for Christmas after an appeal by her parents.
Some cards came from people in places as far as Australia, America and Jamaica.
Her mum, Claire, posted on Ezmae's fundraising page on Facebook, a poignant message to let her well-wishes know she had died.
She wrote: "At 10.04am this morning our baby girl grew her angel wings.”
The little girl had spent the days surrounding New Year in hospital, but died yesterday.
She had been receiving end-of-life palliative care, and took a turn for the worse on December 31, when she was taken to hospital.
RELATED STORIES
In a post on January 1, Claire, 36, wrote: “Ezmae’s been very up and down.
“We’ve managed to turn her pressures down she then drops her oxygen so they have to go back up.
“She is still spiking temps and has two different infections.
“She has good moments where her eyes are open but will then drop back down - please keep her in your thoughts.”
Ezmae, who was diagnosed at six months old, was fed through a tube, could not communicate and took up to 50 medications a day.
Claire, from Minster, on the Isle of Sheppy, Kent, said: “She doesn’t really understand what happens at Christmas but she likes to listen to our voices.
“A couple of years ago we got people to send us cards and it wasn’t very busy – but this year it’s really taken off.
“It’s gone crazy – the last few years we’ve had about 20 cards, but this time we’ve had piles of them.”
Tributes to Ezmae have now flooded in on social media.
Melissa Bartlett said: “This is the saddest news. Ezmae has touched so many lives in her short life, what an amazing and beautiful girl.
“My two little girls loved making cards for Ezmae and my 3 year old still asks about her. Sending you love and strength at this devastating time. Fly high with the angels beautiful Ezmae.”
GoFundMe page has also been launched, to raise cash for a ‘Fairytale Funeral’ and so far more than £2,000 has been donated.
To donate visit
Last month we reported on the heartwarming moment terminally ill Bradley Lowery began to open the 200,000 Christmas cards and presents he received after a public appeal.
The brave five-year-old’s battle with cancer touched hearts around the world and saw thousands of people sending gifts to his home.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.