Stacey Buttle’s little girl Kayla died at the aged of seven from neuroblastoma.

She passed away the Nook, a children’s hospice run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) which cares for children with life-threatening conditions and supports their families.

Mrs Buttle, of Norwich, said: "EACH, and specifically the symptom management team, had been in our lives for about 18 months.

Kayla Buttle, who died aged seven, is remembered as a “phenomenal, spirited and sassy” little girl. (Image: Supplied)

"The team there are incredible and somehow have a way of remaining cheery and positive, despite the enormity of what’s happening around them.

"They’re never sad, sombre or morbid, and they just seemed to get what we needed."

Kayla was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, in 2021.

Stacey Buttle has shared her family’s story in memory of her daughter Kayla (Image: Supplied)

She died at the Nook, based at Framingham Earl, in May 2025 after a long and complex journey through treatment.

Mrs Buttle, who is married to Wayne and also has two sons, Riley, 13, and Korey, 11, said: "In the end, we spent eight days at the Nook before Kayla died.

"They cooked for us, washed our clothes and nothing was too much trouble.

"The team made sure she was as comfortable as possible, and from my point of view, it was so helpful having people on hand to support me with her medications.

"It was such a blessing and allowed me to focus on being a mum."

Stacey continues to receive bereavement counselling from EACH following Kayla’s death (Image: Supplied)

Kayla, a pupil at Magdalen Gates Primary School in the city, was aged just three when she first showed signs of illness.

Her mum said she began walking with a slight limp and complained of leg pain at night, eventually leading to a diagnosis of high-risk, stage four neuroblastoma.

The family’s cancer journey took them to hospitals across the UK, as well as the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Mrs Buttle described the experience as "an emotional rollercoaster filled with ups and downs".

"She responded to every treatment, but the cancer never disappeared," she said.

"We bought her a drysuit so she could go swimming and did so many fun things together – from holidays, beach days and theme parks to trips to Center Parcs, Disneyland Paris and West Midlands Safari.

"I thought if I couldn’t save her, at least we’d have these memories no-one could take away from us."

Kayla died on May 21.

She added: "Having time together – rather than her being ripped away from me – made such a difference.

"Family, friends and even her teachers were able to visit, which I loved.

"She looked so peaceful and beautiful.

Stacey says the care provided by EACH allowed her to focus on being a mum (Image: Supplied)

"We had her favourite music on a loop, she had her quilt from home and she was surrounded by her favourite teddies."

Nearly a year later, Mrs Buttle says EACH continues to be a vital source of support.

She attends counselling sessions every fortnight and describes the Nook as a place where she feels she belongs.

She said: "The support I’ve received since has made such a difference.

Kayla spent her final days at The Nook hospice in Norfolk (Image: Supplied)

"I feel a real sense of belonging here, knowing it’s where Kayla spent her last days.

"I’m the kind of person who says it like it is, and I enjoy talking about my daughter. In fact, I love nothing more and get so much joy from it.

"I can’t think of anything better than remembering Kayla, celebrating her life and honouring the phenomenal, spirited and sassy little girl she was."

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