Hundreds gather at red and white funeral to say goodbye to little Sunderland AFC fan Jasmine

Two-year-old Jasmine Purvis was given just months to live after being born with Down’s syndrome and a heart defect known as a pulmonary hypertension.

Tragically, the youngster from Canon Cockin Street, Hendon, lost her fight last month, having raising thousands for the Children’s Heart Unit (CHUF) at the Freeman Hospital under the name ‘Jasmine’s Hearts.’

Hundreds of friends and family gathered at St Ignatius the Martyr, Hendon, to say goodbye to the little Sunderland AFC fan who touched the hearts of so many. Mourners wore red and white to pay tribute to Jasmine’s love for the team.

Flowers in Sunderland AFC colours were also sent from the club and from Jasmine’s favourite player Jermain Defoe, who she was able to meet along with the rest of the team, when the club arranged for one of her last wishes to come true.

During the service, grandad Colin Hope, 36, also from Canon Cockin Street, read a poem for Jasmine and those who gathered listened to the youngster’s favourite song ‘Sorry’ by Justin Bieber, before they sang hymns ‘Autumn Days’ and ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful.’

Following the ceremony, parents Jamie Harvey and Chris Purvis, along with their daughters Jodie Robins, eight, and Jessie Robins, five, released balloons and doves into the sky.

Father Andrew Jones said: “We have all come here to honour a tiny, fragile little girl whose time in this life has been very short, but in that short time has touched so many hearts and achieved so much.

“As even through her own struggles she was caught up in an effort not just to help herself, but others in a similar situation.

“Jasmine will never be forgotten.”