Saoírse Ruane who inspired Toy Show appeal dies aged 12
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The Co Galway girl who inspired the annual Late Late Toy Show appeal has died.
Saoírse Ruane died on Tuesday following a long illness.
The 12-year-old captured the hearts of the nation when she appeared on the 2020 Toy Show and spoke about her fight against cancer.
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Having being diagnosed with a rare form of the disease in December 2019, Saoírse had to have her right leg amputated.
Her bravery in the face was to the fore in the fundraising campaign launched on the night of the Toy Show in November 2020.
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Since then, millions of euro have been raised to benefit children’s causes around the country.
The Ruane family were involved in other awareness efforts in the years that followed.
Most recently, a charity single ‘Sing for Saoírse’ raised over €60,000 for a Galway foundation supporting sick children.
Late last year, her mother Roseanna revealed that Saoírse was again undergoing treatment, after a fourth cancer diagnosis.
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