Hundreds of people in south Leeds rally to light up the Skye in memory of late Leeds toddler

Around 250 people have lit candles, lanterns and enjoyed a firework display in a poignant tribute to a bright young girl who lost her battle with leukamia this week.
Skye Sutcliffe.Skye Sutcliffe.
Skye Sutcliffe.

Well-wishers from all over south Leeds gathered at Intake Square, in Middleton, for an impromptu ‘Light Up the Skye’ event as a show of support to the family of Skye Sutcliffe last night.

The two-year-old, who had been fighting a rare combination of blood cancers, passed away on Tuesday evening.

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Sales of lanterns and collections from the event are expected to have raised around £1,000 to help with funeral costs and to support Skye’s chosen charities Delete Blood Cancer UK and Candlelighters.

Skye’s family has issued a statement thanking their supporters. It read: “Tonight mummy, daddy and your brothers lit a candle for you Skye along with many people in our community and wider.

“We would like to say thank you all for coming together on behalf of Skye, so much love for our princess. You people are amazing, thank you so much. Skye is sure shining bright with pride tonight.”

Skye was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukaemia at 20 weeks old and her battle with the disease led her family to raise £17,000 for charities while urging people to sign the bone marrow register.

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She had a bone marrow transplant from her brother in August last year but within months her illness was deemed terminal.

The Light Up the Skye fireworks display.The Light Up the Skye fireworks display.
The Light Up the Skye fireworks display.

Despite the prognosis, doctors said she had made a miraculous recovery in June when she went into ‘spontaneous remission’ but she later had an “extremely aggressive” relapse.

Nadine Parker, who helped to organise the Light Up the Skye event, said: “The community was so together it was brilliant – we had to shut the street off. We have all supported them since day one.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/Skye-Sutcliffe or justgiving.com/Skye-sutcliffe1.

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