A DARWEN family is continuing to raise awareness about Crohn’s Disease - a year after the tragic death of their ‘hero’ daughter and grandchild.

Tiana Thompson collapsed two days after Christmas Day 2019 and was taken to hospital where her condition deteriorated and she suffered a blood clot on the brain.

The former St Bede’s High School pupil went to Royal Preston Hospital for an operation but died on January 18, 2020.

Her family has been left heartbroken by her death and takes each day as it comes.

Tiana’s grandmother Sheila Edwards writes two pages every day of her feelings after the 20-year-old’s death.

She said: “She was our only grandchild and she has taken our future with her.

“She was much-loved by her friends and they have been so supportive of us and they have missed her too.

“She was so fit and sporty and it was all of a sudden that she was taken from us.

“We have a memorial plinth at Blackburn Rovers' memorial garden as she loved Rovers.

"We are going to be going down to it on Monday and (her mother) Suki will be doing it too.

“I write to her every day since she died as I want to let her know about what is happening. My husband Norman also talks to her about how Rovers are getting on because she used to go.”

Sheila added family and friends had planned activities for Crohn's and Colitis UK which were affected by coronavirus.

She said: “We are still waiting to do a walking event dressed up from Darwen to Fernhurst.

“The netball teams and association she played in are arranging a tournament and then we want to have a raffle or auction with a signed Blackburn Rovers ball.

“People do not realise that Crohn's is deadly with no cure for it but we need to get funds to help others.”

Dad David Thompson said: “Me and Tiana had a passion for Blackburn Rovers and sport.

“I used to go and watch her play netball, swimming and her school football team. She was my soulmate. Me and my family miss her dearly, she is never out of our thoughts.

“She had a smile on her face no matter what she faced and the pain she was in, her story will get told by us all and hopefully raise awareness for Crohn’s Disease.

“She was my hero. The hurt never goes away, but I know she is looking down on us all with my mum and grandad. I love her so much.”