A family has spoken of their heartbreak after a little girl who ‘always had a smile on her face’ lost her four-year battle with cancer.

Nine-year-old Faith Lawson, of Cockermouth, was described as strong, independent and determined by her devastated nannie, Julie Baker.

But she said the youngster, who died on May 2, has left them with a lifetime of memories.

Julie said: “The whole time Faith has been going through this it has always been about Faith and what is best for her. She has never ever known that she had cancer.

“She was only five when she was diagnosed and it has always been her normal.

“She always had a smile on her face, she never ever complained she always just got on with it and that was what kept us going.”

Just as any nine-year-old has during the pandemic she became a TikTok fan making countless videos and doing the popular dances on the app.

Faith had an infectious smile and loved life.

In her short life, she faced tragedy, having lost both her parents. She leaves behind her older sister Kasey.

Faith fought brain cancer, endured a 12-hour surgery and had round after round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But, a little more than a month ago, she started to have seizures.

The family has travelled back and forth to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and has been supported by many charities all of which have helped provide Faith with an amazing life full of fun and special moments.

Now, Julie is hoping she can help one charity in particular, Cancer Research UK for children and young people so that no other child will have to go through what Faith went through.

She said: “Only about two per cent of cancer research funding is spent on research to childhood and young adult cancer.

“I want to help raise money for the children, they are the future and they’re the ones who should have the treatment.

“These children are special, Faith’s gift is to help them, they’re amazing.

“All the charities that help give so much and have helped make so many memories. She loved her time in the hospital the staff and volunteers made it so fun.

“She even got to go to the cinema on her hospital bed.”

Affectionately known as Princess Faith she adored motorbikes and regularly ran a ‘lemonade stand” at home for bikers to raise money.

Now her family are calling on the motorbike community to come and help give her the send off she would love.

Her final journey will take place on May 13 and bikers are asked to meet on Main Street, Cockermouth at 11am to form a procession on her last journey.

The funeral cortège will leave her home at 11.30am, her family have asked if people can wear gold ribbons and donate to Cancer Research UK for children and young people.