'She brought people together' - Money raised in memory of 'fearless and joyful' miracle woman who died aged 28

More than £1,000 has been raised for charity through the devoted family and friends of a young Bilston woman who died last year following a long battle with health problems.

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Visit Shots! now

Rhiana Thompson's family has raised £1,310 in her name for the British Heart Foundation, a charity that was important to Rhiana.

Born on May 11, 1996, she was diagnosed with multiple heart defects. Her mother, Sharron, was told by doctors that Rhiana's heart was 'like scrambled egg'.

Pictures in Willenhall at the Mount Olive Apostolic Church, where money raised from a bake sale event was being handed over to the British Heart Foundation.
It was an event organised paying tribute and inspired by an amazing girl called Rhiana Thompson who sadly passed away last year.
On the photo is Cadence Wilson, aged one, Rhiana's niece; Rhiana's cousin and event organiser: Leyah Gardner, Bishop: Floyd Downie, Lucy Roberts from British Heart Foundation and Rhiana's mom: Sharron Thompson. — Pictured are Cadence Wilson, aged one, Rhiana's niece; Rhiana's cousin and event organiser Leyah Gardner; Floyd Downie; Lucy Roberts from the British Heart Foundation and Rhiana's mother Sharron Thompson

Rhiana underwent three open-heart surgeries, 14 cardiac catheter procedures, and developed Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE) when she was seven years old, but she 'defied every medical prognosis'.

Pics in Willenhall at the Mount Olive Apostolic Church, where money raised from a bake sale event was being handed over to the British Heart Foundation. It was an event organised paying tribute and inspired by an amazing girl called Rhiana Thompson who sadly passed away last year, with a tee-shirt made in her memory — A t-shirt designed in Rhiana's memory

She was given just three months to live at birth, mere days to live in 2014, and 18 months in 2021 - but despite all of this, she stood fiercely by her faith and embraced her life to the fullest, enjoying cooking, having an interest in politics, bee-keeping, and much more.

In the last 12 months of her life, Rhiana travelled the world, visiting Portugal, Spain and Paris.

She died on December 5 last year, aged 28.

Earlier this year, her cousin Leyah Gardner set up a bake sale and GoFundMe page for the British Heart Foundation.

"I've always done charity bits here and there," said Leyah, "and when Rhiana passed I knew I wanted to do something in her name. The bake sale was perfect because she was that type of person, she was so generous, and she had ties to the British Heart Foundation. It meant a lot to her. So I knew it was something I had to do."

Leyah said she will continue coming up with fundraising ideas for the future.

"It is definintely not the end of our fundraising," she added. "I have always got ideas buzzing around, maybe in the summer we can do a car wash or sponsored sports day.

"However, I want to say thank you to everyone who got involved and the people of my church. They were the driving force of the bake sale, they came together and supported me in it, and I am very thankful to them and our family and friends."

Rhiana's mum, Sharron, spoke to the Express & Star about her determined and admirable daughter, and why it is so important to her that funds are being raised for the British Heart Foundation.

"One of Rhiana's passions was raising money," Sharron said. "She was part of the Young Hearts group and had already raised a significant amount for the British Heart Foundation.

"My niece, Leah, started a GoFundMe and doing bake sales in Rhee's memory. She did that knowing how important it was to Rhee. Rhee had hosted tea parties for the community and raised so much money. So many people came, because they loved her character and she touched so many lives. She brought people together.

"I would wheel her to school for her A-levels, and wheel her to college so she could go to her classes to be a teaching assistant. She was extremely determined and had many, many interests."

To donate to Leyah's GoFundMe page for the British Heart Foundation, visit gofundme.com/f/stunmm-british-heart-foundation.