THE family of a brave little girl who died after a long battle with ill health have paid tribute to their ‘special little angel’.

Georgia Fourie, nine, who suffered from cerebral palsy, curvature of the spine, epilepsy and was quadriplegic and blind, died with her parents by her bedside telling her how much they loved her.

Yesterday Mel and Tim Fourie told of their daughter’s brave battle with illness saying that she was an ‘inspiration to everyone who knew her.’ Georgia, of Dean Lane, Water, was rushed to Blackburn Royal Hospital with pneumonia on Thursday after her mother found her looking blue.

Her family kept a bedside vigil and were with her telling her how much she meant to them as she passed away on her parents’ wedding anniversary on Friday.

Courageous Georgia had been blighted with ill health since birth after Mel had suffered from appendicitis, pneumonia and septicaemia while pregnant.

When she was born the family were told that she had little chance of survival.

Georgia, who attended Holly Grove primary in Burnley, a school for children with special needs, pulled through but had continual bad health and was even put on a life support machine a few times.

Her mother Mel, 35, a bank manager at Barclay’s in Preston, said: “Georgia was our world. We were so lucky to have her.

“She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her, she was always so happy and fun loving. She loved music and loved to swim.

“She had no quality of life, because of her ill health, apart from what people gave her. We are just so grateful to everyone who has looked after her, especially Holly Grove school who have been unbelievable.

“Our little angel finally got her wings.”

Her father, Tim, 41, former captain of the South Africa rugby league team, said: “Georgia was unbelievably brave. We want everyone to know about her and what a special little angel she was.

“She touched the lives of everyone she knew and we feel blessed that we were chosen to be her parents.”

On Friday her school are releasing 120 pink balloons in celebration of her life and holding a special assembly in her memory.

As well as her parents, she also leaves behind brother Ethan, three, and sister Courtney, 12, grandparents Babs and Geoff, and Auntie Caroline.

Her funeral will take place on Tuesday at 1.40pm at Burnley Crematorium and will have a butterfly theme with balloons and flowers in the shape.

Her family have asked for donations to be made to Holly Grove School instead of flowers.

Donations can be made by calling Alderson and Horan Funeral Services on 01282 427483.