THE family of a courageous 11-year-old girl have paid tribute to their “ray of sunshine”.

Little Isis Dodd, known to friends and family as Tilly, died at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on Thursday.

Her devoted parents Paul and Mandi Dodd, from Flint, say the Ysgol Pen Coch pupil, who suffered from cerebral palsy, had contracted an infection which left her too poorly to fight it.

Tilly, who also leaves siblings Liam, 25, Georgia, 22 and Saul, 15, was due to start at Ysgol Maes Hyfryd this month.

Paul described his daughter as a “funny and cheeky” girl who will be very much missed.

Mandi said: “She was just a smiler. She was happy, especially considering what she’d been through.”

Tilly, who would have been 12 on September 19, enjoyed being outdoors, taking trips in the car and swimming in a hydrotherapy pool.

“We always used to sit in the garden with her when it was sunny,” said Georgia.

“She was our little ray of sunshine. She was just a little love, she lit up the room.

“We’re going to look at it like we were blessed to have her for nearly 12 years.

“She will be missed by everyone who knew her.”

Diana Lloyd, from Diana Nursing based at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Rhyl, had been Tilly’s carer since she was a baby.

She said Tilly was “a very friendly little girl”.

“She loved people and adored people making a fuss over her, which they always did because she was so beautiful,” she said.

“She loved cuddles and whenever anybody gave her a hug she would snuggle in, her eyes would light up and she would have a big, broad smile on her face. I was with Isis six days a week and they were the best six days ever.

“Isis loved all the things that little girls like doing. She loved having her nails painted and always looked so pretty. Her parents were marvellous.

“All of her family were together when she died. Her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and I were all at the hospital and had one last cuddle.

“I’m just heartbroken but at least she's not in pain any more."

Cerys Hindley, nursery nurse at Ysgol Pen Coch, Flint, said: "Isis was a beautiful little princess. She always looked so lovely and she was the trendiest little girl.

“Her family are wonderful and she will be very much missed by everybody at the school.”

Tilly had been treated at Glan Clywyd Hospital when she had been poorly at various points during her short life.

Her family said they wished to thank staff at the hospital for helping their daughter.

“They’ve been brilliant, especially Dr Cameron the pediatrician and the nurse Cerys Parry on the Paddington ward,” said Mandi.

A funeral service for Tilly will be held tomorrow at St Mary and St David’s Parish Church, Flint at 1.30pm followed by a private committal at Chester Crematorium, Blacon.

Her parents have requested family flowers only but say any donations, if desired, can be made towards the Diana Nursing team.