Poppy Fletcher: Family says there is a 'hole in their hearts' after 'unforgettable' nine-year-old dies
Tributes have been paid to a beloved girl
The family of an “adored” and “unforgettable” nine-year-old who has died after a series of health challenges have said there is a hole in their hearts.
Surrounded by her loved ones, Poppy Fletcher, affectionately known as Big Girl, passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday, June 20 after bravely facing difficulties throughout her life due to short bowel syndrome.
The cherished Gosport girl was diagnosed with multi-organ failure last September and she was admitted to intensive care after contracting sepsis. After also being diagnosed with bone marrow failure, a multi-organ transplant was no longer a viable option.
Lisa Fletcher, Poppy’s mum, said: “Our beautiful Big Girl will be loved, missed, and remembered forever. Big Girl was the happiest little girl you could ever meet. Throughout her nine years on this earth, despite facing continuous health battles, she woke up every day with a smile on her face. Whenever people asked me how I coped, I would always say: ‘If Big Girl can wake up every day with a smile, then I can do anything.’
“She was absolutely adored by her brothers, sisters, family, and friends. The hole she has left in our hearts is truly a Big Girl-sized one. But, we know that wherever she is, she’ll be partying, causing a little trouble, casting wizard spells, dancing to Harry Styles, and living out her dreams as a Disney princess - just as she always did.
“She was always so positive and wanted everyone around her to be happy. She hated sadness and had the most infectious smile. Whether she was being silly, laughing, or cracking jokes, she could have her whole family crying with laughter.”
Since September, Poppy had been on dialysis four days a week at Southampton General Hospital, where she had to endure six-hour rounds of treatment to not only clean her blood but to replace the fluid in her body.
In a desperate effort to make her final months memorable, an urgent plea was issued earlier this year to help her meet Harry Styles ahead of his tour. Despite having tickets to one of his first Wembley shows, her declining health meant it was uncertain whether she would be able to attend.
The appeal was shared far and wide, and with the help of the charity Sophie’s Legacy, Big Girl’s dream became a reality and she was able to FaceTime the One Directioner.
Days before her death, Big Girl managed to make it to the concert, where Harry Styles played her favourite track - Watermelon Sugar - for her.
A fundraiser has now been set up to give Big Girl the send off she deserves and support her family at this difficult time, with plans to have a double-decker hearse and a few surprises to honour her memory.
Lisa added: “Alongside her beautiful smile was her cheeky and sassy side. Big Girl had everyone wrapped around her little finger—from family and friends to all of her nurses at Southampton General Hospital and QA in Portsmouth. It became a running joke that she was never afraid to speak her mind and tell you exactly what she thought, usually accompanied by an unforgettable eye roll. It was one of the many reasons we loved her so much.”
Sophie’s Legacy which helps families with unwell children in hospital, supported Big Girl’s family during her treatment.
Founder Charlotte Fairall said: “With very heavy hearts, we have to share that Big Girl has passed away. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who shared, tagged and got behind Big Girl’s story.
“The original concert tickets were for June 23 so without all of your support, she would never have got the chance to see him live and make those special memories. Thank you for keeping her in your hearts and thoughts.
“We also want to say thank you to Big Girl’s family for letting us be part of your journey, and for giving our team the privilege of getting to know not only your beautiful Big Girl, but all of you too. Sending you so much love. Big Girl was one of a kind and we feel so lucky to have known her. We will never forget her, and we know so many of you won’t either.”