The funeral of four-year-old Jessica Whelan was held today, with hundreds turning up to pay their respects to the brave little girl.
Jessica and her dad Andy broke hearts around the world when he shared harrowing photographs of her in pain due to cancer.
Posting the original photo to Facebook, Andy wrote: "This is the hardest photograph I have ever made. A few days ago she was given what is most likely a few weeks to live. This was taken at a moment where we as parents could offer no comfort - Jessica pushing us away as she rode out her searing pain in solitude."
Jessica bravely fought neuroblastoma for over a year, but, sadly, just days later dad Andy was sharing the terrible news that Jessica had passed away.
Credit: Manchester Evening News
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More than 400 mourners, carrying keyrings made by Jessica's classmates, attended the procession today, before releasing balloons in her memory.
Andy told the Accrington Observer: "It was overwhelming to see that amount of people in the church. The amount of support people have shown makes me very emotional. I just had to look down through my tears.
The funeral procession was led by police horses. Credit: Manchester Evening News
"We've been to see her daily at the funeral directors and saw her yesterday one last time to hold her hand and give her a kiss."
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Featured image credit: Andy Whelan
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