LOVED ones of a Renfrew girl who lost her brave battle with cancer gathered for a special tribute on what would have been her fourth birthday.


Layla Greene had been suffering from neuroblastoma before she passed away in January this year.


Her death left mum Louise Cunningham, dad David Greene and other loved ones devastated.


However, they were determined to honour courageous Layla on the day she would have turned four.


They returned to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital, where Layla was treated, to add a leaf to a memorial tree, as well as attending a memorial service led by the hospital’s chaplain.


Family and friends then gathered at her graveside at Hawkhead Cemetery, in Paisley, where dozens of colourful balloons were released in her memory.


Louise said: “The service was really emotional. It was actually frightening how well the chaplain spoke about Layla, without me telling him what to say.

“It was hard to go back to the hospital but also comforting in a way.


“Now we have a leaf on the memorial tree, we’ve got two places we can go to remember her.


“We were able to light a candle and have some quiet time too.


“We had lots of family and friends at her headstone and released loads of balloons.


“I miss Layla so much. There’s a hole in my heart which aches more each day. Nothing can make it better.


“I know Layla wouldn’t want me to be sad, though, so we have set up Team Scotland Neuroblastoma to raise funds for research to be carried out.”


Layla was given stem cell treatment and chemotherapy but her condition worsened just before she died in hospital.


Her parents’ hopes had been pinned on a new treatment, known as the Beacon trial, being a success before she passed away.


Layla became the face of the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Schiehallion Appeal, which set a target of raising £500,000 to support young cancer patients.


The aim was to raise enough cash to fund the expansion of a unique clinical trials centre.


Louise added: “I want to thank everyone for their continued support since my loss of Layla.”