Teenager who got Katy Perry wish dies

The teenage girl who was at the centre of a social media storm involving an American popstar has died. 

 

13-year-old Sophie Birtles passed away yesterday morning at Rebecca House Hospice - she had the rare genetic disorder Juvenile Sandhoff Disease. 

 

In May the local community rallied on social media to get popstar Katy Perry to record her a video message - the campaign, which was personified by the hashtag #you'reafireworksophie, went viral. 

 

Her funeral will be held on Tuesday at St Ninian's Church in Douglas - anyone attending has been asked to wear bright colours.