Ashley Cain and his girlfriend Safiyya Vorajee have announced the details of their baby daughter’s funeral.
Taking to Instagram on Friday evening, the pair shared photographs of their little girl and confirmed that her day of rest would take place on Friday 23rd of May, naming it ‘Alaylia’s Day’.
The Ex On The Beach star, 30, and his partner also encouraged well wishers to line the streets of Nuneaton for her cortege as they shared specific timings and planned route for the 15 minute journey.
Baby Azaylia lost her battle with acute myeloid leukaemia in April when she was just eight months old.
The couple wrote: ‘Azaylia’s Day of rest. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, words of sympathy & patience over the last few weeks, while we come to terms with the loss of Azaylia.
‘We have been incredibly moved by the support we have received far and wide and all the beautiful gesture of kindness will live in hearts forever.
‘We have been in correspondence with Warwickshire Police to understand how we can give people, who would like to pay their respects the chance to do so.
‘Due to current restrictions the family will be attending a private service of celebration of Azaylia’s life, but prior to azaylia’s service we will be giving Azaylia her last journey through Nuneaton.
‘The route the cortege will be taking is along Croft Road – CV10 7DP (small car park by Tesco’s if required) into Queens Road – CV11 5LD, Roanne Ring Way – (Parking in Town Centre, Abbey Street CV11 5NE), right into Coton Road (Parking in Riversley Park CV11 5TY) and left into Avenue Road (parking at Pingles Leisure CV11 4TX).
‘We would be touched and honored to see as many of those that wish, pay their respects to Azaylia by lining the streets somewhere along the route the cortege will proceed through.
‘We respectfully ask all attending Azaylia’s final journey to adhere to the current Covid legislation, to maintain social distancing and to keep within your family bubbles, this will ensure everyone is safe and following the rules that are set out.
‘As truly difficult as the day will be, we are going to give it our all to keep Azaylia’s day an uplifting day of remembrance for her life and encourage anyone attending to show their love by clapping and making joyous noise of celebration as the cortege goes by!
‘Details are – Azaylias day to take place on Friday 21st May 2021. The cortège will be leaving Croft road at approximately 10.00am, making it’s way through the designated route and ending in Avenue Road (by the Pingles) at approximately 10.45am. We request that you stand somewhere suitable at some point during this route.
The announcement comes after Ashley revealed the £1.6 million raised for Azaylia’s cancer treatment will now be used for her funeral and to set up a children’s charity.
On Saturday, the grieving father shared an update on the GoFundMe which was originally set up to help pay for Azaylia’s treatment that was only available in Singapore, and reached their goal of £1million in less than 24 hours.
Fans have now pushed the sum over £1.6million, with over 115,400 people donating after her passing.
Finding purpose: The announcement comes after Ashley revealed the £1.6 million raised for Azaylia’s cancer treatment will now be used for her funeral and to set up a children’s charity
Ashley wrote in the heartbreaking post: ‘To all our amazing supporters, we want to send our heartfelt thank yous to everyone who donated money, made and sent gifts, commented, prayed and showered our family with love and strength during the toughest days of our lives.
‘Azaylia joined the angels in heaven on Saturday 24th April after the most courageous battle with AML.
‘She showed her heart, strength and determination every step of the way and we are so so proud of her.
‘During her short life on earth side she brought the world together, she claimed a community – her very own pride – who made amazing things happen.
Grieving: Ashley and his heartbroken girlfriend Safiyya have been documenting their pain on social media since Azaylia lost her battle with acute myeloid leukaemia in April
‘The world lit up. The world talked about childhood cancer. The world showed its heart. And YOU helped to make all of that happen.’
He emotionally went on: ‘The amount of money needed for Azaylia’s potential treatment in Singapore was raised in just 24 hours.
‘That money can sadly no longer be used to help Azaylia but we want to make sure it is used positively – and in Azaylia’s name.
‘After days of emotional yet careful consideration we have decided that, firstly, we would like to use some to give Azaylia a magical and deserving send off – something that we believe you would all want to be a part of.
‘Secondly, we will use the remaining money to help other children through a new charity we are setting up in Azaylia’s name.
‘She has guided us throughout this process and it only feels right that we continue to use the platform we built together to help those in similar situations.’
Ashley added: ‘What we saw during our time fighting this monster has changed us forever and we will spend the rest of our lives spreading Azaylia’s message of hope and strength to all those who need it.
‘Likkle Lion’: Azaylia battled acute myeloid leukaemia for the majority of her life and was diagnosed just two months after she was born
‘We will ensure she lives on until the day we are able to hold her again in paradise. We hope you will all continue to support us and keep our Likkle Lion Azaylia’s name in your hearts and thoughts forever.
‘Together we can make a positive difference to the world and fight Childhood Cancer. #LetsGoChamp’
Ashley and Safiyya had originally planned to travel to Singapore with Azaylia after the funds were raised but were later told she could not be treated as her cancer was so rare and doctors had discovered tumours in her body.
Meanwhile, his partner Safiyya took to her own Instagram to say she’s ‘forever proud’ of baby Azaylia after she received Pride Of Britain honour.
The official Instagram for the annual event, which honours Brits who have ‘acted bravely or extraordinarily in challenging situations’, shared a short tribute video dedicated to the ‘#prideofbirmingham.’
Little Azaylia’s picture flashed up in the clip, alongside the message: ‘Dedicated with love to all those bravely fighting their own battles.’
Tragic: The couple were utterly devoted to their daughter, who battled the rare and aggressive cancer with such courage she was nicknamed ‘Likkle lion’ (pictured earlier this year)
Commenting on the post, the grieving mum said: ‘Amazing. Azaylia you are my hero, and to all those who are battling a journey be brave, stay strong.’
While she also re-shared their post on her own Instagram stories, writing: ‘Azaylia, I am forever proud of you and the awareness you have made. Pride of Britain, you truly deserve this’.
Azaylia – who inspired her father’s powerful ‘let’s go champ’ message – underwent four rounds of chemotherapy during her fight and was recently nominated for a Pride Of Britain Award by thousands of supporters around the world.
Baby Azaylia battled acute myeloid leukaemia for the majority of her short life and was diagnosed just two months after she was born.
Ashley confirmed the tragic news on social media last month, writing: ‘Rest In Paradise Princess. I will always hold you in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven ❤️ #AzayliaDiamondCain.’