Saoírse Ruane’s family pay heartbreaking tribute to her on first anniversary of her death

Saoírse's brave story inspired the Toy Show Appeal.

Saoírse featured on the 2020 Late Late Toy Show and told the story of her cancer diagnosis.

Her heartbreaking story inspired the Toy Show Appeal, which has since raised millions for children's charities.

She passed away last year aged 12.

In a post to Instagram, her family said: "We sit here tonight on what was the anniversary of the DAY you passed.

"It was a Tuesday. But tomorrow we will wake to the date being on a Wednesday…. 5th March! That’s the day you left.

"The day our hearts broke into tiny tiny pieces."

They added: "The big round ball called the world continues to turn and so life carries on….We will never understand this EVER!

"12 yrs on earth, 12 months in heaven.

"To have had you for 12 seconds was a blessing.

"Was it really just a beautiful dream ????"

In a post on social media, RTÉ paid tribute to Saoírse.

They said: "Today marks the first anniversary of the sad passing of Saoírse Ruane who left us at such a young age.

"We continue to remember Saoírse, her family and her many friends and to celebrate a beautiful soul who touched our lives, not least through her appearance on The Late Late Show.

"Her legacy lives on in the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal which continues to provide much needed support to children and their families across the island."

Comments flooded in with those paying their condolences.

One person wrote: "So sad for her Parents & Family, such a beautiful little girl that made such an impact on all of us."