Summer was our Little 
Miss Sunshine

Summer Allen died last month after years of treatment for neuroblastoma and was laid to rest at a ceremony at St Matthew’s Church in Rastrick.

Her mum Sarah and Summer’s six-year-old twin sister Paige have spoken about their sad loss but thanked people for their support.

“We would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown us throughout our journey,” Sarah said. “The nurses from hospital but especially the community nurses in the past few months for all their help and care, and all the Macmillan team.

“Castlefields Infant School staff have always been there for us and have helped with Paige, so a big thank you. To everyone else who have been there it has helped the family get through the dark days. Thank you for your support.

Paige said: “I miss you Summer, I wish I could see you. I wish cancer had gone away, All I want from Santa this year is my sister back.”

Sarah said Summer was known to many as “Little Miss Sunshine” and made 
an impression on everyone she met.

“Summer always knew how to make you smile. Summer was such a loving, caring, kind, beautiful little girl.

“She lit our hearts with so much love from the day she was born. Even with everything she had to go through in these last three years she still always had the biggest smile on her face.

“Summer was a very bright girl. She had wisdom beyond her years. She could have done anything she put her mind to.

“She enjoyed arts and crafts, playing Bella’s with Paige, telling daddy how he should do things and making sure her sister April was safe.

“She had many ideas with what she wanted to be when she grew up from pop star, vet, artist and even a lorry driver like her dad.

“We like to think she can do all of those things in heaven.

“Paige has been such a star with helping Summer on those down days. Just a cuddle and an “I Love you Summer” brightened Summer’s days.

“April, Summer’s baby sister, is only one year old, but has spent a lot of time with Summer. We will make sure she never, ever forgets her amazing big sister.

“Summer loved school. She would always come home full of all the things she had learnt in the day and although she only managed the first year she seemed to learn more than some people do in a lifetime.”

Summer attended Castlefields Infant School in Rastrick, who had held numerous fundraising events for her when the family was looking for alternative treatments.

Head teacher Gemma Elliott said: “When we picture Summer I am sure that we all think of her beautiful smile. Summer loved music and dancing, she loved her family and friends, she loved coming to school. Summer loved life and she made no secret of the fact that one day, she wanted to become a teacher.

“Thankfully Summer fulfilled her ambition to teach; she taught us all that we should be brave, that we should be kind to others and despite what is happening to us in our own lives, we should live life to the full.

“Summer Kathryn Allen will always be the inspirational little girl who we all have so much to learn from, and who taught us all so much and we all miss her greatly.”