Shropshire youngster Holly, 2, loses battle with rare disease
Tributes were paid to Shropshire two-year-old Holly McCrossan today after she lost her battle with a rare disease she had been fighting since birth.
Holly died in her parents' arms at home in Highley on February 21.
Talkative Holly, who loved being with her family, had numerous illnesses and was regularly cared for at two children's hospitals.
The youngster touched the hearts of many people with fundraising events being held in her name across the Bridgnorth district and as far away as Wales.
Holly's mother, Donna, said her family had been overwhelmed with support. She said she and Holly's dad Jon now hoped to help raise awareness of her condition, money for the hospitals that cared for her and the charity that supported them throughout.
She said: "Holly was a beautiful and loving little girl as well as being very vocal.
"She loved her cuddles and kisses just as much as she loved her food, especially her biscuits.
"Holly always had a smile on her face especially when doing the opposite of what you were telling her to do. She was very much a home girl who didn't really enjoy going for days out because she was limited in what she could do.
"But she loved singing nursery rhymes and playing building blocks with her mummy, daddy, brother, nanny and granddad.
"They were her favourite days but she hated hospital, which unfortunately she had to spend a lot of time in. Holly was very unique and once she was diagnosed with cancer, family and friends really got behind us.
"I am from Bridgnorth and Jon's from Highley so people from both areas have been really supportive. Jon's sister lives in south Wales and we've had people we've never even met raising money in Holly's name. She was a true inspiration."
One of Holly's illnesses included a rare condition called Congenital Melanocytic Naevi, or CMN, which was characterised by the presence of moles on her skin. She also suffered from a complication of the same condition called neurocutaneous melanosis, which meant she had these moles on her brain and spine. As a result Holly was diagnosed with melanoma in November after having major tumour surgery.
Donations will be taken at Holly's funeral on Friday in St Mary's Church, at 3.30pm, for Caring Matters Now, a charity that supports patients and their families suffering with CMN.
The funeral will be followed by a celebration of Holly's life at the Ship Inn, in Highley, which is open to all.
Holly is survived by her brother Callum, mother Donna, father Jon, nanny and granddad June and Ian Hulland, along with aunts, uncles and cousins.
