A CAMPAIGN to name a polar research ship after a Blackburn baby battling cancer has received celebrity backing.

Poppy-Mai Barnard, a 16-month-old girl whose parents were told by doctors she had days to live a fortnight ago, has had thousands of messages of support from all over the world.

The global wave of good wishes have flooded in as her parents Sammi Baker-Barnard, 29, and Andy Barnard, 31, document her fight on their Facebook page “The Journal of Poppy-Mai”.

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Supporters, wishing for a lasting legacy for the stricken baby, have started a campaign for a new polar research vessel to be named after Poppy-Mai.

The call for name suggestions is to celebrate the launch of the Natural Environment Research Council’s (NERC) new polar research vessel.

A #NameOurShip campaign was launched and yesterday the name “Poppy-Mai” had received the backing of almost 15,000 people.

Among those supporting the move is top comedian and actor Jason Manford, who shared the appeal on his Facebook page.

Hollywood celebrity gossip columnist Perez Hilton, whose website is read by millions, also shared the story of the little girl’s plight.

A spokesperson from the NERC said of the campaign: “We have been overwhelmed by the public response to our call for ideas for names, and by the thoughtfulness of the suggestions.

“A panel will consider the suggestions and ultimately, the chosen name will be the one that best fits the criteria. Our thoughts from NERC are for Poppy-Mai and her family.”

Yesterday, mum Sammi gave an update on how Poppy-Mai’s illness was affecting her family, including her sons, Rylee, six, and Jenson four.

She said: “Today has been hard for me feeling very emotional.

“What I wouldn’t give to be a normal family again, watching my three beautiful children all playing and Poppy-Mai back to her cheeky happy self.

“Some time this nightmare doesn’t seem real but today it’s hit me. Cancer may have taken over my baby’s body but it can’t take her fighting spirit, and that’s what’s keeping me going.”