Hundreds of brightly dressed mourners gathered to celebrate the life of a brave teenager who died after a lifelong battle with cancer.

Leah-Beth Richards, 13, from Beddau, Pontypridd, had fought cancer since being diagnosed with the rare Wilms’ tumour when she was two. She died nine days ago.

Dressed in brightly coloured clothes, according to the courageous youngster’s wishes, friends and family crowded into Glyntaff Crematorium yesterday to pay their respects.

Leah-Beth’s small, pink coffin arrived at the crematorium by horse-drawn hearse.

In homage to the young rugby and football fanatic, the pallbearers all dressed in bright pink Cardiff Blues away shirts as they carried the coffin inside before the service began.

Former Llwnycrwn Primary School pupil Leah-Beth lived much of her life in the public eye after she was diagnosed with the rare illness.

Over the years friends, neighbours and strangers united to raise thousands of pounds to help improve life for her and her family.

But in 2006, the then eight-year-old told her mum Kathryn and dad Mark she no longer wanted to endure radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment and instead wanted to live life to the full.

During yesterday’s service, the sounds of tears and laughter filled the crematorium as a family friend paid tribute to Leah-Beth.

Choking back the tears, he said: “Leah-Beth was a very strong and positive lady whose life was turned upside down by illness.

“She was an old head on young shoulders with a wicked sense of humour.

“She had no fear and lived life to the full. She was loved by all who knew her.

“Mark and Kathryn could not have asked for a more wonderful daughter. Leah-Beth made her parents the proudest on Earth.

“Leah-Beth was so proud to go to Bryn Celynnog [school] and loved to be with her friends.

“She was a caring and loving child who cared more for others than she did herself.

“Leah-Beth had an infectious personality and she touched everyone she met.

“You will never be forgotten – goodnight and God bless, princess. We love you.”

A poem read out at the end of the service as a tribute to Leah-Beth was received with a resounding round of applause before mourners left the service to release 99 red balloons into the sky in a reference to her favourite song.

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