A YOUNG girl from Wolfscastle, who helped raise more than £35,000 for charities that improved the lives of other children like her, has passed away while waiting for a lung transplant.

Ten-year-old Belle Curran was on the Great Ormond Street emergency transplant list. The Spittal School pupil was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) at the age of two. This rare condition makes sufferer's lungs stiff, hard and scarred making breathing a huge effort.

Belle relied on a wheelchair to get about and was on permanent oxygen and a combination of medications. Despite this, Belle lived life to the full.

"She is such a determined, funny and knowledgeable girl, and nothing will get in her way once she puts her mind to it," said her mum Stella last month. "She never complains about her health and is extremely positive."

Last July one of Belle's charities, Make a Wish, made her dreams come true by inviting her to the set of the Voice Kids in London where she met her hero Will.i.am and fellow voice judges Pixie Lott and Danny Jones.

In November Belle was presented with a Radio Pembrokeshire Child of Courage award, at a special ceremony held locally at Pembrokeshire College.

Last month Belle featured on an S4C programme honouring Wales' bravest children. During filming she was whisked backstage at one of her favourite programmes, BBC MasterChef, and got to meet presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode.

She was then honoured at a glittering awards evening at the Stradey Park Hotel where she received a special trophy.

Also last month Belle attended a Give so Others can Live charity evening at Wolfscastle Country Hotel, delivering a heart-warming speech before introducing a short film about her life.

The evening raised £12,000, of which £6,000 was donated to the Belle's Story charities: Puffin Ward, Withybush Hospital; Noah's Ark Children's Hospital, Cardiff; Great Ormond Street Heart and Lungs; Ty Hafan Children's Hospice and Make A Wish.

These charities were chosen by Belle as they made such a difference to her life and the lives of other children like her.

With the help of Haverfordwest Ladies Circle and other supporters Belle has helped raise more than £35,000 for the five charities. Presenting Ty Hafan with £10,000 late last year.

On March 26 Belle was admitted to Noah's Ark Children's Hospital in Cardiff after picking up an infection.

Her family posted on the Belle's Story website on Sunday, saying

"Our brave Belle sadly lost her fight and passed away peacefully on the 5th April.

Thank you all so much for your love, kindness and support."