A courageous Angus girl’s family have paid tribute to the “amazing” teenager after she lost her lengthy battle with cancer.
Just a week after celebrating her 16th birthday at home in Forfar, Laura Forbes succumbed at the weekend to the disease which she had fought head-on since it was diagnosed after a seemingly minor fall on a hill-walking expedition with friends.
Parents Donald and Audrey and younger brother Daniel have been devastated by the sudden loss, but said they were immensely proud of the fortitude Laura demonstrated throughout her brave struggle.
They have also been comforted by many tributes paid to the talented teenager, led by Forfar Academy’s headmaster, who described Laura as an extremely popular girl who excelled in everything she did.
In 2011 Laura hurt her knee in a fall and, after numerous hospital visits, the family were told bone cancer had been discovered in the injured joint.
She underwent intensive chemotherapy, followed by major surgery on her knee. Her family clung to the hope of a positive outcome but were left reeling early last year by the discovery of a secondary cancer on Laura’s lung.
The teenager spent months in Aberdeen Royal Children’s Hospital (ARCH) throughout her illness and her parents have only the highest praise for the staff there.
Mum Audrey, who gave up her job to be with her daughter in the hospital, said: “We can’t fault them from the very start they were absolutely brilliant.”
Another course of chemotherapy finished last July and Laura had been allowed home, latterly attending ARCH as an outpatient once a month.
After a family Christmas together, and having celebrated her 16th birthday, she suddenly became unwell and was taken back to Aberdeen, where she tragically died.
“We’re just so proud that she managed to get through all that she did. She never complained and she wasn’t selfish she always put others first,” said her heartbroken parents.
“She had been in good spirits at home a bit fed up that she couldn’t do the things normal teenagers do, but that was because she was such an active girl.”
Laura was a pupil at Wellbrae Primary School before she moved on to Forfar Academy. She was a keen swimmer and won Forfar Falcons swimming club’s endeavour trophy in 2010, presented in memory of local jockey Jan Wilson.
Last spring, hundreds of people, including many of her school pals, turned out to support Laura’s big fun day, an event at Murton reserve near Forfar which was the idea of younger brother Daniel (11).
Funds from the event helped support the work of the Archie Foundation at ARCH, which was given a further boost of more than £3,000 when dad Donald (42) and his friend Michael Arbuckle tackled a 10,000ft sponsored skydive last year.
Forfar Academy head teacher Melvyn Lynch said: “We were all very saddened to hear of the passing away on Saturday of fifth-year pupil Laura Forbes, who has been bravely fighting illness for some time.
“Laura was an extremely popular and talented pupil who excelled academically, in sports and in everything she did. She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are very much with her family and friends at this very sad time.”
gbrown@thecourier.co.uk