A 10-YEAR-OLD Dundee girl given just months to live five years ago gave up her fight for life early yesterday.

Caitlyn Webster died in Ninewells Hospital with her mother Sharon, father Bobby and “Granny Marion” at her bedside.

Five years ago the family was looking forward to Caitlyn starting primary school, but she collapsed and was rushed to Ninewells. Doctors found bleeding in her brain and a tumour that could not be removed, plus another tumour in her spine.

Caitlyn was given aggressive treatment to try and shrink the tumours and slow down the cancer. Sharon was told Caitlyn wouldn’t last long and was given a few months at most.

But Caitlyn clung on and was able to spend some time at home with her sister Morgan (6), brother Bobby (8) and big brother Paul (18) in between long periods in hospital. She attended Kingspark School part time during respite periods from her deteriorating condition.

The family also made visits to the children’s hospice, Rachel House in Kinross.

Last night Sharon took time out from her grieving to thank all those who had supported Caitlyn and her family in the last few years.

She made special mention of the staff at Rachel House and paediatrician Dr Rosalie Wilkie and the staff in Ninewells. During Caitlyn’s long illness she had witnessed a transformation in the paediatric department at Ninewells with the opening of the Children’s Hospital, wards completely refurbished and outpatients department providing more child-friendly facilities.

“I just think it is an amazing place, full of amazing people,” she said. “I can’t thank them enough, particularly what they did for us at the end.”

At Caitlyn’s 10th birthday at Ninewells on March 8, the nursing staff had all bought her gifts, to add to the presents brought by friends and family.

“That was really the last day she was with us and responded,” said Sharon.

Yesterday Sharon’s sister Ellen Ryabov, a former senior manager at Ninewells who now works for a hospital trust in Kent, flew up from London. The Ninewells link continues, as Caitlyn’s dad Bobby is a software developer based in the Clinical Technology Centre on the hospital site.

Sharon gave up her nursery business, Little Butterflies, to care for Caitlyn.

She will be buried at Birkhill Cemetery on Friday. A celebration of her life will be held in Ashton’s service rooms, Lochee High Street. Mourners are asked to wear bright colours as Caitlyn liked bright colours.

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to make a donation to Rachel House or to Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia.