Sophie Taylor: 'Little warrior', five, dies after brave cancer battle
A five-year-old girl from Norfolk, whose brave fight against cancer touched the lives of many people, has died.
Sophie Taylor, from Sprowston near Norwich, was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma in January last year but fought hard against the disease - defiantly sticking her tongue out in photographs posted on social media and encouraging others to do the same by using the hashtag: #takeasophie.
However, she was moved to a hospice for end of life care after the cancer spread to her lungs earlier this week and her death was confirmed on Friday.
“Today at 1.47am I took my last breath, laying in Mummy and Daddy’s arms, cuddling Olaf and watching Toy Story. I peacefully slipped into my forever sleep, just how I would have wanted," her parents said.
Sophie developed a special relationship with her favourite team Norwich City, and midfielder James Maddison in particular.
Maddison, who joined Premier League club Leicester City in the summer, first met Sophie when she was a mascot for a Canaries game last season and the pair struck up a beautiful friendship - with the England star spending as much time with her as he possibly could.
After hearing the news that she'd passed away, an emotional Maddison wrote on Twitter: "Rest In Peace my little Angel. I love you always & forever."
Norwich also added their own tribute ahead of their game against Birmingham City on Friday night, calling her their "little warrior", while local rivals Ipswich Town passed on their condolences via a classy message.
Sophie would have no doubt been smiling down from heaven after her beloved Canaries beat Birmingham 3-1 to move back into the Championship automatic promotion places.