Tributes have been paid to a young Scots girl who has died after falling ill on Christmas day.
Ava Soutar, 8, was rushed Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, on December 25 after taking unwell with what her family believed to be the 'flu'.
Tests confirmed the tragic youngster, from Perth, was suffering from meningitis before she developed septicaemia.
Her loved one previously said she was 'fighting with all she had', however she sadly passed away earlier this week.
Heartbroken aunt Melissa Wilson paid tribute to her 'beautiful' niece on Facebook on Thursday.
She wrote: "How is this fair? Look at you, our dear Ava.
"So beautiful, so sassy, so full of life!
"I can't quite believe that you've been taken from us.
"The pain is too much!
"You will never be alone. We will never forget you and we will always love you!
"Until we meet again Ava, our beautiful shining star."
Melissa had previously set up a fundraising page to help ease the financial burden for Ava's parents after their daughter took unwell.
Writing on the GoFundMe page on January 2, Melissa said: "It was confirmed that she had developed meningitis along with septicaemia and is still fighting what began with the flu.
"She is fighting this with all she has.
"Since entering the hospital we have seen slight progression with Ava which is really great but her mum and dad have been warned that it will take months for her to recover.
"Ava has recently been transferred to one of the hospitals in Edinburgh so that she's is in the best possible place.
"Her parents of course want and need to be by her side throughout this so will keep them from work meaning it will keep them from earning enough to keep the household going. They have another 2 kids at home.
"Their family and friends don't want them to have that extra worry at the back of their minds so we thought we would try this page.
"They need to be able to focus on the most important thing and that is getting Ava through this dark time."
The fundraiser managed to collect £4700 from 245 donaters.
Tributes poured in on the fundraising page after news of Ava's sad passing.
Shona Coopee said: "So, so sorry to hear Ava has joined the angels. Heartbreaking. Lost for words."
Scott Payne added" "Thoughts are with the family. So sad."
Leanne Christie wrote: "You are all in my thoughts."
To donate to Ava's family visit the Go Fund Me page.
