Lizzie Andrews tribute

Lizzie (right) and her best friend Aanisaa Dutt

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The family of 14-year-old Lizzie Andrews paid tribute to her today.

Lizzie, who died on Saturday 13 July, was a character and an inspiration says mum Rachel Andrews. 

Lizzie, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 8 months old, loved horse riding, dogs and animals. Rachel said: “She enjoyed horse riding when she could and had her own pony. She didn’t get to ride her very often but when she could she did.”

“She loved her friends and was a wonderful sister to Lucy.”

“We saw her fed up, we saw her annoyed and we saw her angry with her cystic fibrosis but she always pushed herself and did normal fourteen year old things.”

Lizzie spent a lot of time raising awareness of organ donation. She was on the lung transplant list herself and had been on the list for 18 months. Rachel added: “It was something that she took upon herself. It was something that was so close to her heart.”

Rachel also commented on how great Lizzie’s friends were with her and added: “They would all get on a bus and sit with her all day. Every hospital admission and those kids would be there.”

Lizzie’s funeral - Friday 19 July at Rochdale Crematorium at 9:50am - is expected to be very busy. Rachel added: “The funeral is going to be hectic. People are coming from all over the country. Even people who didn’t know her in person but were affected by the things she did.”

Staff at Lizzie’s school, Matthew Moss, also paid tribute to the fourteen year old. Head teacher Andy Raymer said: “Lizzie Andrews has a special place in the hearts of students and staff at Matthew Moss High School. Lizzie was very much her own person. She had a close group of friends and they have been closely involved in shaping the school’s celebration of her life. Lizzie has given others the strength to face their problems and many students have written cards to go with her in her coffin.

"Lizzie and her friends would also want me to remind people about the shortage of organs available for transplant and to ask people to consider putting themselves on the donor register.”

Lizzie described herself as a fighter and lived every day to the fullest surrounded by the people she loved the most.

Rachel added: “She was an amazing child. I am so proud to have been her mum and I am going to miss her like mad.”