MORE than 1,000 people have celebrated the ‘short but inspirational’ life of a brave baby girl who lost her battle against an aggressive cancer.

Little Poppy-Mai Barnard, from Infirmary, Blackburn, was 17-months-old when she succumbed to a progressive malignant tumour which she had fought against bravely for 10 weeks.

Her funeral took place at a packed St Albans Roman Catholic Church in Blackburn yesterday where there was standing room only.

Poppy-Mai’s tiny coffin was brought to the church by horse drawn carriage, with her mum and dad – Andrew and Sammi – and brothers Rylee and Jensen following in a car behind.

Before she was carried in to the church to the sound of Accrington Pipe Band playing Amazing Grace mourners released hundreds of balloons in her memory.

The service was conducted by Canon Jude Harrison, who said Poppy-Mai’s life was ‘short in years but so full in impact’.

He said: “Andy and Sammi did everything possible for their daughter and wow how she gave it back to them.

“Life is measured by the love you bring in to the world and the influence you have on others. Poppy-Mai lived for 72 weeks or so and she put more in to it than people who have lived for 72 years.

“You all know she has made a dramatic impact on others in the world. Bless her, she’s made her mark and impact in her short life.”

Mr Barnard told the humourous story of how his daughter was born on the sofa at their home and how he almost had to deliver her himself.

And he had mourners in tears when he talked about the moment when his daughter passed away in his arms on the same sofa with his wife stroking her head.

Mr Barnard said: “When she was born I instantly fell in love. My life was complete. Our lives were complete.

“Poppy-Mai was a dream baby and I am truly honoured to be her daddy. We were honoured to be her parents.”

In a poem Mr Barnard described his daughter as his ‘warrior’ and his ‘hero’.

Canon Harrison, who said Poppy-Mai had been baptised at St Albans, read a poem written by Mrs Barnard.

Mike Magee, who is a reader at the church, said: “I am in a position to look down the church and what I see is waves and waves of support and care.

“This little girl probably generated more love in her short life than the whole of us together will as long as we live.”

There were various hymns throughout the service, including This Little Light of Mine, In the Arms of an Angel, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Silent Night and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Some mourners wore Poppy-Mai t-shirts and others arrived with flowers. After the church service, the funeral moved on to Pleasington Crematorium in Blackburn.