Heartbroken Walsall parents pay tribute to ‘our perfect Isabella’

The parents of brave Walsall youngster Isabella Lyttle have paid tribute to their 'perfect and beautiful' little girl.

Mark and Jen Lyttle have said they are 'broken' following their 11-year-old daughter's death.

Isabella had been suffering from high risk neuroblastoma since she was three years old.

She was a well known and popular young girl across the entire Walsall community, with countless businesses and residents helping raise money to help fight her cause over the years.

More than £150,000 had been raised to fly Isabella to America for vital, specialist treatment after options for treatment in the UK quickly ran out.

The youngster suffered three relapses while fighting the disease.

Isabella died surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 28.

Her devastated parents have since written a moving tribute to his daughter, and have said they don't know 'how they will get through this'.

Mark Lyttle said: "She bravely and courageously fought neuroblastoma every single day, beating it three times against all the odds.

"Neuroblastoma can only be summed up as evil though, it is relentless and never stops trying to take our children. The odds were never in Isabella’s favour but that didn’t stop her beating it over and over and she fought it till the end.

"I am so sorry Isabella that you came up against this enemy, thank you for giving it your absolute everything and for passing on that courage to two scared parents that drew upon your strength and courage and bravery every day and all the way through, enabling us to be by your side through everyone of those day’s, fighting alongside you."

Isabella's family needed £200,000 to take her safely to America for her treatment, but sadly that day never came. The money raised will now be ploughed into research by Solving Kid's Cancer – to help continue the battle.

Mark added: "Isabella never gave up, even at the very end she wanted to go to hospital to be made better as she struggled to breathe. She was never afraid of hospital as it was another home to her; testament to her and to the care she received from so many wonderful people there.

"Never did the pain get too much for her to say enough is enough. She took on what was thrown at her with barely a whinge or a moan. That’s how she rolled. That resilience and zest for life will stay with us forever, inspiring us.

"Isabella’s legacy will live on in so many ways. First and foremost the bravery and courage and never say die attitude she has shown from day one will live on in all our hearts. This always has kept us going and hopefully will continue through this pain.

"We’ve both never felt such a pain as these two broken hearts and can only thank everyone that is trying to pick us up at the moment from the floor and hold us as we grieve and try to make sense of Isabella not being here.

"To be perfectly honest I don’t know how we are ever going to get over this."

Tributes have also poured in from across the community. Walsall Football Club said: "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with the family and friends of Isabella Lyttle at this desperately sad time. RIP Isabella."

Saddlers defender Luke Leahy added: "So sad to hear the news about Isabella, she was such a brave little girl and always had a smile on her face. Sending my love to all her family."

Young fundraiser Louis Johnson from Wolverhampton also paid tribute, saying: "My friend Isabella. She fought neuroblastoma for 8 years.

Going to miss her smile and her jokes she played on her parents. RIP Isabella."