A brave teen has died after battling a rare form of cancer for more than two years.
Actor James McAvoy had donated £50,000 towards the campaign to save her and met with the battling teenager.
Kelly Turner’s family had been desperately trying to raise £1 million to treat the 17-year-old in the US, but she died in hospital after a downturn in her condition.
The teen from Dover, Kent, was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumours (DSRCT) in October 2015, but lost her battle on Sunday night.
Her parents Martin and Linda Turner broke the news on Facebook from the Royal Marsden Hospital, where Kelly had been taken as her illness worsened.
They said: “Our best little friend, soulmate, bright, intelligent and beautiful Kelly sadly passed away at 2.45am on Monday November 6.
“Thank you for supporting fundraising to save her life, in particular thank you Dover for your love.
“Upshot is that there is no chemotherapy for Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumours.
“Research to discover chemotherapy for DSRCT is imperative.”
Martin said it was unexpected after she had received better scan results, but she had been struggling to eat anything before the weekend.
The campaign to save her life had raised more than £600,000 towards her treatment.
Last year, she was nominated for a Pride of Britain award by Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon, who praised her as an “unsung hero”.
The only place she could receive treatment was at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York – but the cost was £1 million.
Last week, a callous thief branded “a parasite on society” was jailed after stealing collection boxes raising money for Kelly’s treatment.
Supporters and friends took to social media to pay tribute to the teenager, who passed all ten of her GCSEs just two months ago and was hoping to study at sixth form.
Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Devastated by news that Kelly Turner passed away early this morning.
“Thoughts and prayers with Kelly’s family and loved ones. Rest in peace.”
Louise Graham-Welton added: “There are no words now that can truly convey what I would like to say.
“Kelly was brave and inspiration to all in her fight, her passion and determination. Dover will be in mourning today. She has had everyone behind her.
“Will be thinking of Martin and Linda today, my thoughts and love with you all today. RIP Kelly.”
A fundraising event at Dover Town Hall on Saturday is due to raise funds for the appeal from 10am to 1pm.
