A MUCH-LOVED little girl has died from an aggressive form of cancer.

Olivia Gregory, of Wickford, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) last June when she was just four years old.

Her parents, Clare and Tony, were given the devastating news that it was incurable, due to the tumour’s position.

While there was no hope of a permanent cure, Olivia underwent a six-week course of radiotherapy at University College London Hospital last summer to shrink the tumour and reduce her symptoms, aimed at giving her a better quality of life.

Olivia died on June 5 at the age of five. On a Facebook page set up to raise awareness of DIPG and fundraise for her adventures, her family wrote: “Our darling Olivia gained her angel wings just after midnight at home surrounded by her family who loved her so much.

“We have decided as a family to donate her brain through Great Ormond Street Hospital as part of a programme looking at rare cancers and specifically DIPG brain tumours. It is important for us that she has a legacy, and this donation may help researchers better understand her disease and even find a cure.”

Her parents, Clare and Tony, along with Olivia’s older sister Eva, set about fundraising to make sure the little girl’s final months were action-packed and full of memories.

More than £30,500 was raised, meaning the Gregory family could take Olivia on five-star trips to Marrakech and to Dubai where she fulfilled her dream of swimming with dolphins.

As Clare is one of Essex Police’s Active Citizens, a voluntary role supporting officers in the community, the Basildon Facebook page paid tribute to the family. It said: “Today we said goodbye to one of our extended police family. Olivia leaves behind her amazing parents Clare and Tony.

“She also leaves one of the most amazing and strong young women, her sister Eva! This girl is a true inspiration! Eva Gregory, you are our hero! Sleep well Olivia.”