A BRAVE 11-year-old Co Derry girl, who made an appeal from her hospital bed for more people to join the organ donor register, has died after a heart did not become available on time.
Aimee Brady, from Magherafelt, had been in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children since January.
She used her final months to appeal for more people to join the organ donor register. She passed away with her family by her side on Wednesday.
The Brady family said last night they will continue to campaign to encourage others to become organ donors. They also asked that instead of flowers donations are made to the Children's Heartbeat Trust who supported the family through Aimee's life.
Aimee was a well known and much loved patient at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where she had her first operation at just six days after being born in September 2008.
In 2015 she was featured in a billboard campaign to raise awareness of heart disease and the work of the Children’s Heartbeat Trust.
A spokesperson for the charity said Aimee was “one of the bravest, funniest and sassiest girls we had the honour of knowing”.
"Always ready with a cheeky smile and joke, Aimee was a light in the lives of all who knew her and her impact has been felt further afield with well-wishers contacting her and her family from around the world.
"We will all miss her so much and send our deepest condolences to Valerie, Stephen, Taylor and their extended family on the loss of such an inspirational daughter, sister and heart hero.
"If you do one thing today in Aimee’s memory please sign up to the organ donation register www.organdonationni.info and talk to your family about your wishes."
The governors, staff, parents and pupils of Spires Integrated Primary School in Magherafelt said Aimee was a "treasured pupil" and extended "deepest sympathy" to the family.
Seph Ní Mhealláin, mother of two year-old Belfast toddler Daíthi who is also waiting for a heart donor, said they were "absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of our friend Aimee".
"We had the privilege to attend her 11th birthday party a few weeks ago and we will hold that memory of her close.
"This news has brought with it the reality of the situation here in the North. Now is the time for change.
"Now is the time to introduce a soft opt out legislation so that other families don’t have to undergo what the Brady family are going through now.
"We are heartbroken and we send our love to those affected by the loss of such a wonderful, brave girl."
Survived by her parents Valerie and Stephen Brady and brother Taylor, a service of remembrance will take place this Sunday, October 13 at 3.30pm in St Swithin's Parish Church, Magherafelt followed by burial in Polepatrick Cemetery.
