Family and friends pay tributes to teen on anniversary of death

Katie Wilkins was just 14 years old when she lost her battle to a rare type of Leukaemia on July 31, 2020.

Katie, whose laughter could be ‘heard from a mile away’, was a student at Bridgewater High School and attended Stockton Heath Primary School in her earlier years.

Family and friends have paid tribute to Katie on the first anniversary of her death.

Katie and her sister Harriet

Jeanette Whitfield, Katie’s mum, said: “Katie was so full of mischievous fun, you could hear her laughter from a mile away.

‘‘She was also kind and had such a beautiful heart, I couldn’t have been prouder of her and my heart will never be whole again.’’

Harriet Wilkins, Katie’s older sister, said: “She was not only my little sister, but my best friend.

‘‘She had a big heart, and never failed to make me laugh.

Katie and her friend during her time at Bridgewater High School

‘‘She was caring, supportive and most of all the best sister I could have ever hoped for.’’

Katie’s close friends described her as having a ‘beautiful personality’ which was ‘full of excitement’.

Bethany Hart, a close friend, said: “Katie was always a joy to have around, she’d always turns frown into a smile and make you laugh no matter what mood you were in.

‘‘I’ll always miss our morning school run, where she’d turn up to my house to pick me up with half brushed hair and untied shoe laces and yet was still confident we’d make it on time.

‘‘I’ll always miss her and forever remember the happiness she brought into all our lives.’’

Katie and her sister Harriet

Alys Berryman, a close friend, said: “She could always put a smile on my face and she would light up the room when she walked in.’’

Ruby Smith, a close friend, said: ‘‘Katie was my friend who constantly made me laugh even in the most serious situations, her laugh was infectious.

‘‘I will never forget the times she would text me asking if she should bring in sweets for us to eat in form time to keep us occupied, and times when we would laugh so hard we couldn’t breathe even though what we were laughing at probably wasn’t even funny.

‘‘Katie had such a beautiful personality full of excitement and confidence and her absence leaves a hole in my life that could never ever be filled.”

Katie with her friends