(Image: FAMILY)
A heartbroken Newton Aycliffe mum is marking what should have been her daughter's tenth birthday after she died a day after a cancer diagnosis last Christmas.
Today (Tuesday, August 25), would have been Millie Rose Hedley's tenth birthday.
But instead of celebrating, Kimberley Hedley is instead trying to create a legacy for her 'beautiful' little girl who "should still be here".
Millie died, aged nine, days before Christmas last year, just 24-hours after being diagnosed with the rare fast-growing blood cancer acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Kimberley with Millie Rose and Makayla
(Image: FAMILY)
Her family are now navigating life without the much-loved schoolgirl who filled "every room with joy and energy".
Millie Rose Hedley, who tragically died aged nine just days before Christmas last year should have been turning ten today
(Image: FAMILY)
Speaking to her beloved daughter, Kimberley, 30, said: "You should have been turning ten, my beautiful girl, and my heart is breaking knowing you never got the chance.
"I miss you more than words could ever say, and I would give anything for one more cuddle, one more kiss and one more ‘Mammy’."
She added: "Everything I am doing is about making sure Millie’s name continues to mean something. Her life was far too short, but I want her legacy to be long-lasting."
Millie Rose was suffering with a lot of symptoms put down to the flu for a year leading up to her death
(Image: FAMILY)
She added: "I still can't believe you didn't get the chance to make it to double digits. Ten feels like such a milestone, and you should have been here celebrating it with us.
"You had so much more to see, so much more to do, and so much more life left to live. I wonder what you would have been like at ten, what you would have loved, what would have made you laugh, and who you would have become.
"We miss you more than words could ever say. Your little life was far too short, but the love we have for you will never be."
'Inseparable' siblings Millie, nine, and Makayla, 11 with their mum Kimberley
(Image: FAMILY)
To mark what should have been her daughters tenth birthday, Kimberley is collecting bunny rabbit teddies to donate to children at the RVI, where Millie died, in her memory.
Millie's favourite teddy was Buddy, a bunny who went everywhere with her.
She said she wants to take something which meant so much to Millie and use it to bring comfort and happiness to other children.
Mum Kimberley Hedley, 30, with Millie Rose, nine, and Makayla, 11
(Image: FAMILY)
'Inseparable' siblings Millie, nine, and Makayla, 11
(Image: FAMILY)
Kimberley said: "I cannot bring my little girl back. But I can make sure her name, her love and her legacy continue.
"For my Millie. For Buddy. For bereaved families. For the children. And for The Great North Children’s Hospital."
The family are also preparing for a charity drive next month to Benidorm and back from Newton Aycliffe.
From left, William, Makayla and Kimberley Hedley with the Rat Run car
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
But before the journey begins, they are attempting to cover the rally car with names, messages, memories and words of love for Millie.
They are also looking for sponsors to help with fundraising for the The Great North children's hospital as well as funding the drive itself.
For a £1 donation, supporters can add their name or a special message to the car, which will travel with the family to Spain and back.
Millie Rose wanted to be a 'singing, princess archaeologist' when she grew up
(Image: FAMILY)
Anything larger, such as a message or picture, can also be added in return for a donation.
Millie’s grandad Bill said: "I miss my beautiful granddaughter every single day, and doing this is my way of keeping Millie’s memory alive and making sure her name, her smile and the love she brought into our lives will never be forgotten"
From left, William, Makayla and Kimberley Hedley with PICU staff, Lisa Brown, Ellie Henry and Zoe Sutton and the Rat Run car
(Image: STUART BOULTON)
The journey is also helping Kimberley take the first steps towards establishing The Millie Rose Foundation in her daughter’s memory.
Siblings who were 'inseparable' Millie and Makayla
(Image: FAMILY)
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The foundation will aim to support bereaved families.
It is hoped it will offer workshops and activities for children and adults, including arts and crafts, music, sport and performing arts.
The family also hopes to organise community events and days out where families can spend time together and create new memories.