AROUND 100 mourners gathered yesterday to celebrate the life of the severely disabled Pontllanfraith little girl.

Friends and family arrived at Woodfield Park Funeral Home in Oakdale for the funeral of five-year-old Rhiannon Orchard who died last week.

Mourners were dressed in pink, Rhiannon’s favourite colour and carried pink and silver balloons which were released into the air after the burial at Bedwelty cemetery.

Rhiannon died peacefully at Ty Hafan children’s hospice, Sully, at 7pm on Tuesday, October 21, with her parents, Claire and Dennis, and 10-year-old sister Rebecca at her side.

The service was led by Des Purnell and on behalf of Mr and Mrs Orchard he thanked the Caerphilly community nurses, the play nurses, Trinity Field School, the staff at Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital and everyone at Ty Hafan hospice for their care of Rhiannon.

The couple were also especially thankful to Dr Diane Edwards and Dr Hillary Lewis.

A poem was read out by Mr Purnell called “My best friend” written by Rhiannon’s sister, Rebecca.

Mr Purnell thanked Rhiannon for being a special little girl and for just being her.

In an emotional tribute read by community children's nurse Michelle Panniers, she said Rhiannon was around them and always will be.

She said the last few hours of Rhiannon’s life at Ty Hafan were precious to the family.

Ms Panniers said they cuddled her, sang to her and played classical music to her.

She said: “She could smile, she could cry and even followed her eyes around the room.”

She added: “Rhiannon was a beautiful, sweet and innocent little girl. She was a princess.”

During the service, the organist played Twinkle Twinkle and the congregation sang the hymns “All things bright and beautiful” and “How Great Thou Art”.