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Tributes paid to Florence Jackson from Speldhurst who has died aged two

A toddler who touched the hearts of hundreds of people in her battle with cancer has died aged two.

Florence Jackson, from Speldhurst near Tunbridge Wells, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in December 2015 and had been at the centre of massive fundraising efforts to fly her to the United States for potentially life-saving treatment.

Posting on her Facebook page yesterday, her family wrote: "Florence sadly lost her fight with cancer at 1am this morning, she was such a brave beautiful girl who fought so hard.

Florence Jackson
Florence Jackson

"Unfortunately neuroblastoma has won she has left a huge hole in our hearts that will never be filled, but at least she is at peace and the cancer is no longer killing her RIP Flo Flo 10.07.14 - 11.02.17 R, C and C xxx"

Parents Rodney, 42, and Carolyn, 47, had been tirelessly fundraising to fly her to America since a large mass was found in her abdomen.

Florence had undergone more than 10 rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery and radiotherapy which had shrunk the mass by 80% at first, but it began to regrow.

Florence Jackson with her sister Charlotte
Florence Jackson with her sister Charlotte

Last month, more than £250,000 was raised in 11 days to get her to see a surgeon in New York.

The family had planned to fly out after February 10 when they'd had an update on her condition, but were told on Friday that there was nothing more doctors could do.

She developed a complication in the last two weeks meaning they could not give her more chemotherapy.

Flo Jackson in hospital
Flo Jackson in hospital

Speaking to KentOnline on Friday, her father Rodney Jackson said: "We have been told that there is nothing that the hospital can do to help little Flo.

"We still have no option to administer chemo. As Flo has not had chemo for over two weeks the tumor has had time to grow and her liver is now not functioning properly

"Her tummy is huge and she has deteriorated considerably in the last 48 hours."

Florence Jackson
Florence Jackson

Her mum Carolyn, posted this morning saying: "Thank you for all your kind messages.

"Our first night without our gorgeous Florence, Charlotte wanted to sleep in Flo Flo's room last night which was lovely.

"Florence touched the hearts of so many people which is beautiful. Even the angels were crying in the sky as it snowed."

Florence with her parents and sister Charlotte
Florence with her parents and sister Charlotte

Florence leaves behind her parents and her five-year-old sister Charlotte.

Hundreds of tributes have been left on her Facebook page by well wishers.

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