by Lynn Cox

The funeral of Gemma Shipley, who died recently at the age of 16, was held this morning (Monday)

A pink coffin decorated with fairies was carried into the chapel at Medway Crematorium..

More than 200 mourners joined her grieving family to say goodbye to the Chatham teenager.

Gemma was born with a rare genetic disorder which left her unable to walk, visually impaired and deaf, with a hole in her heart and a spinal deformity.

Medical experts did not expect her to live past the age of three.

But with the love and support of her family - mum Diane, dad Henry and elder sisters Joanna and Rachel - she had a considerably longer life than anyone expected.

For a full report and more pictures, see Friday’s edition of Medway Messenger.