All for the love of Maia

to do before their daughter passed away. Maia and her family and friends enjoyed trips to the seaside, a party, swimming, a christening, visiting a farm, riding on a train, walking part of the Pennine Way and visiting Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.

Gemma, 32, said: “As hard as it was we had to put our own pain to one side in order to care for Maia and give her the best that we could. There was so little we could do about her illness, but what we certainly could control was her happiness.

“I’m confident Maia only ever knew love in her short life.”

Joe, 32, added: “There was so much that our little girl would never get to do so we started by writing a list of all the things that we really wanted her to experience. Maia’s adventures were simply amazing; we had so much sadness in our lives but at the same time we were having some of the best days of our lives with her.

“We have a lifetime of memories which we will cherish forever.”

Gemma and Joe said that one difficulty with looking after a sick child was the constant worry about work and money.

Joe said: “In a sense we were lucky because we could make these memories, taking the time off work to share experiences with our beloved Maia.

“Not everybody has this opportunity, and as your whole world crumbles, everything around you continues, from work, to mortgages and beyond.”