'True angel' Saoírse Ruane who inspired Toy Show appeal dies following cancer battle

The family of the inspirational and brave young girl Saoirse Ruane have announced she has died following her long battle with cancer.

The 12-year-old from Co. Galway captured the hearts of people across Ireland when she appeared on the Late Late Toy Show, during the height, of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Having being diagnosed with a rare form of the disease in December 2019, Saoírse had to have her right leg amputated and her appearance on the Toy Show coincided with the launch of the Toy Show appeal which has helped raise millions of euro over the past three years.

Last year, Saoirse's family revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer for a fourth time and this Thursday morning they announced she died earlier this week.

"It is with broken hearts the Ruane family announces the passing of their beautiful daughter and sister, Saoírse, who passed away peacefully at home, after a long illness bravely borne, in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna, on Tuesday, March 5 2024," read her death notice published on RIP.ie.

"Saoírse, aged just 12 years old, was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoírse in their hearts," it added.

Saoirse will repose at her home this Friday afternoon and her Funeral Mass will take place in St Peter and Paul's Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway on Sunday afternoon.