Supermodel Erin O’Connor joined family and friends of Emily Bailes today at an emotional memorial service in the brave Bloxwich schoolgirl’s honour.

Nine-year-old Emily had been undergoing chemotherapy for kidney cancer, but died in March.

The popular schoolgirl touched the heart of Erin, when the pair switched on Walsall’s Christmas lights in 2006. 

She also became a friend of tennis star Maria Sharapova. She was diagnosed with her illness a few months before she was due to perform the coin toss before the Wimbledon women’s final between Sharapova and Serena Williams in 2004. 

After the Russian star claimed her first grand slam victory, she adopted Emily as her lucky mascot.

The Emily Bailes Memorial today took place on what would have been her 10th birthday at Lower Farm Primary School, in Bloxwich.

Erin O’Connor told those gathered: “She had an incredible love of life. I loved spending time with her, I enjoyed our chats over hot chocolate talking about haircuts.

“When I was with her I felt I was in the presence of a truly special person.”

There was also a recorded message from Maria Sharopova. 

She said: “I first met her at my first Wimbledon final, she tossed the coin for me.  I won that game and I have seen her ever since as my lucky mascot.

“I kept in touch with the family ever since. I was greatly saddened to hear she had passed away.  She was always smiling. That is what I remember about her – she was very special.”