A nine-year-old girl who won the hearts and minds of thousands of people across Britain has died.

Stacey Mowle of Trafalgar Road, Gravesend, passed away in her sleep yesterday morning after a five-year battle against neuroblastoma.

Her death was confirmed on her charity Facebook page which attempted to raise £500,000 for treatment only available in America.

“For what has been an extremely emotional fight & journey we must not forget that each and every one of you, her dedicated loyal fantastic supporters, have made every day throughout that journey an adventure, she was so lucky.

It reads: “For what has been an extremely emotional fight & journey we must not forget that each and everyone of you, her dedicated loyal fantastic supporters, have made every day throughout that journey an adventure, she was so lucky.

“You made her smile & laugh constantly throughout her treatment.

“It is now time to celebrate our Princess's life that she had with us.

“The tears will come but they should be promptly replaced with the memories of laughter, smiles, the photos, videos, the events – all the memories.”

Stacey was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma when she was just four.

In December 2011, Stacey reached remission after undergoing chemotherapy but a year later the cancer returned and this time was more aggressive.

Relatives launched The Stacey Mowle Appeal in the hope of giving her the chance to receive life-saving treatment in America.

The appeal has raised more than £200,000 so far, with everything from giant conga lines to concerts and parties.

The Messenger chose Stacey for its charity of the year in 2015.

Famous patrons include Gravesend singer and former X Factor finalist Tamera Foster, Leicester City FC defender and ex-England international Paul Konchesky and Queens Park Rangers FC manager Harry Redknapp, not to mention comedian Joe Pasquale and Birds of a Feather actress Linda Robson.