TYWYN is reeling this week following the death of a “strong, kind-hearted and inspirational” 17-year-old, six months after she was struck down by a rare form of cancer.

Much-loved Elisha Carter had spent a lot of this year in hospital battling the disease, which had ravaged her spine, kidneys and lungs and left her paralysed from the waist down, before she returned home in August.

Speaking to the Cambrian News upon her return to Tywyn just a few weeks ago a determined Elisha, who was diagnosed shortly after her 17th birthday, was focused on gaining her qualifications in child healthcare and regaining the use of her legs.

But devastatingly, last Wednesday afternoon Elisha suffered a serious setback which saw her rushed to hospital, where she tragically died a few hours later.

Emma Furneaux, Elisha’s heartbroken mother, said: “Elisha had a bleed on her brain and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family.

“As a family we are devastated and shocked at how quickly she has been taken from us.”

The close-knit Tywyn community was rocked by the death of the popular teenager but came together to support Elisha’s family.

Emma added: “I would like to thank everyone for their support over the last few days.

“Reading all the messages and knowing how much Elisha was loved is so comforting.”

Read the full story in today’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News, in shops now, or available online by clicking the digital editions link