Tributes to 'beautiful, caring and thoughtful' Portsmouth girl Sian Reeds - who was praised by Ed Sheeran and Hollywood stars Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth - and who has died aged 17

Sian Reeds, 17, was diagnosed two years ago with with a rare form of cancer called as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) after concerns were raised following a routine eye appointment.

Determined to live life to the full, Sian complied a bucket list which included meeting Ed Sheeran – something she enjoyed in August last year on her 16th birthday after meeting the musician backstage at his Leeds concert.

Last year the former Portsmouth Academy pupil also took part in a skydive to raise more than £2,000 for The Indee Rose Trust.

The devastating news was revealed this week by Sian’s mother, Helen Reeds, with a heartfelt tribute posted on Facebook.

Helen wrote: ‘Our beautiful Sian passed away at 8.20pm on Monday, November 30. She did everything through this journey on her terms and she achieved so much.

‘We will always be extremely proud of the beautiful, caring and thoughtful girl she was. She gained her butterfly wings which she so truly deserved. We will forever love you to the moon and back our little butterfly.’

Sian’s dad Matt said he wanted people to remember her optimistic outlook on life, her determination and the way that she faced everything with a smile.

Determined not to let her illness affect her life and the things she loved, Sian continued to take part and excel in gymnastics competitions and achieved three grade 5s in her GCSE exams despite missing 90 per cent of her classes.

Sian’s bravery and positivity was recognised by stars from across the world with video messages of support and admiration sent from Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo and Thor actor Chris Hemsworth.

Her funeral will be on Monday, December 21 at St Mary’s Church in Fratton, with a burial in Kingston Cemetery at 2pm. Due to coronavirus restrictions only 30 people may attend and anyone who wants to pay their respects has been asked to line the streets outside St Mary’s beforehand.

Anyone who wishes to send flowers can do so to Barrells Funeral Directors in Fratton Road, Fratton, and anyone who would like to send donations can make them to Chestnut Tree House hospice of The Indee Rose Trust, which were both close to her heart.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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