She never stopped smiling (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

She never stopped smiling

Picture Ref: 25510-29A LITTLE girl who touched the hearts of Evening Advertiser readers has lost her four-year battle with cancer.

Seven-year-old Charlie Jarvis died at her home in Greenmeadow on Friday surrounded by her doting family.

Last night her parents Paul and Samantha, said they were devastated by their loss.

But they vowed to remember the daughter who never stopped smiling and caring for others.

Charlie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma a rare childhood cancer in August 2001.

The following year the Adver launched an appeal to raise £100,000 needed to send her for pioneering treatment in the United States.

Our readers rose to the challenge and in August 2003 she and her family jetted off to Houston, Texas, where she was given pioneering new drugs.

Charlie's cancer went into remission but 12 months on she suffered a sudden relapse and her condition deteriorated rapidly.

Mr Jarvis, 41, said: "We are absolutely devastated. Our lives have been torn apart. She was our little girl.

"Words really cannot describe how we feel. Only someone who has lost a child could hope to understand.

"We will always remember her for her smile she was always grinning. Everyone who came into contact with Charlie loved her."

In December last year the family including 10-year-old sister Robyn visited EuroDisney in Paris.

The self-employed printer added: "My favourite memory of Charlie is of her meeting Donald Duck's uncle, McDuff.

"She had big eyes anyway but on that day they seemed to be popping out."

Mrs Jarvis, 34, thanked readers for their unflinching support. "Without their help, Charlie would have not had such a happy and eventful seven years, six months and two days of life.

"With the money they raised, we were able to purchase pioneering treatment from America which helped Charlie into remission.

"Our family will always be eternally grateful to everyone who cared and rallied around and gave us everything in our hour of need."

The Jarvis' have asked mourners to wear pink Charlie's favourite colour at the funeral, which takes place at 10.30am on Friday at St Mary's Church in Rodbourne Cheney.

She will be cremated at Kingsdown Crematorium.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so to kids' cancer charity CALM.

Kevin Shoesmith