Photo of girl, 4, with tragic message found hidden on plane years after she died

21 April 2023 , 15:29

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Grace Kelly died aged four from a rare kidney tumour (Image: Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust)

A photograph of a little girl who dreamed of flying abroad before she died has been found hidden on a plane in the US.

Grace Kelly, from Crowle, Worcestershire, was just four when she died from a rare kidney tumour in 2014.

Weeks after her death, her grandparents hid a picture of her behind a bathroom mirror on a flight along with a handwritten note.

It said: "Our little angel had always wanted to fly - so she flies with Monarch - hidden away for as long as possible.

"Happy travels darling Grace, you made our life just perfect for all too short a time."

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The snap has now been found by Frontier Airlines maintenance workers in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Grace's grandparents hid the photo with a note (Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust)

Touched by the note, they decided to leave the photo where it was so Grace can continue to travel the world.

One of the workers told a flight attendant who then got in touch with Grace's mum, Dr Jen Kelly.

Jen told the Worcester News: “I am so proud of Grace and all that she has managed to achieve. I always knew that Grace would move mountains.

Grace with her mum Jen (Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust)

"This is not the way anyone would have chosen, but now Grace is not only moving mountains but soaring above them too. She never had the chance to fly in a plane, so to know she is flying around high in the clouds is truly special.

"We are so thankful to Frontier Airlines for keeping Grace on board and we are truly grateful they tracked us down to let us know. Thank you so much to everyone who has made this possible for our girl.”

Jen founded The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust in 2016 in Grace's memory, and has since raised almost £3million.

The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust was set up in 2016 (Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust)

It funds research into rare and aggressive childhood cancers, as well as further educating families and clinicians about signs and symptoms, and treatments.

The Trust receives no statutory funding and relies solely on fundraising from businesses and supporters.

For more on the charity, visit www.gkcct.org

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