The family of a young woman have paid tribute to their daughter after she died after battling double pneumonia.

Aimee Read, 29, from Ramsbottom, died at the ICU unit at St James’s Hospital in Leeds on Saturday, May 28 surrounded by her immediate family after a short illness.

Aimee had battled various illnesses including leukaemia for most of her life so to lose her so suddenly and in such tragic circumstances has devastated the family.

It all stemmed from when in 2016 she was diagnosed with Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare, acquired, life-threatening disease of the blood.

The disease is characterized by destruction of red blood cells, blood clots, and impaired bone marrow function.

Her mum, Wendy Read said: “Aimee had a bone marrow transplant in January because her condition was deteriorating, and she got to the point where she needed the transplant but then we found out at the end of February that it hadn’t worked.”

She explained that the chemotherapy and the transplant left Aimee very unwell, and frail and she would end up in and out of hospital with infections.

Aimee then went back into hospital on May 11 with what everyone thought was just a general infection and she had routine tests done.

However, after she had been in for four days she was taken to intensive care because her breathing had deteriorated rapidly, and scans and x-rays confirmed she had double pneumonia.

As she was struggling to breathe so much, they had to ventilate her and put her on life support.

She spent two weeks on life support but sadly lost her life last Saturday.

Wendy added: “Her death was the double pneumonia because she couldn’t fight and was too weak after the transplant to fight it off.

“But Aimee always had a mask, what she called (having) her armour on, and everyone would always say she looked so well when she got diagnosed with the PNH.

“Aimee used to hide the fear and pain and everything behind makeup and getting her eyelashes and hair done and being well presented and she used to say that was her armour.

“So even though she looked really pale and poorly under the makeup, when she put it on, she felt like she could face the world.”

After the PNH diagnosis in 2016, Aimee also found out she also had a brain tumour, which was removed in June 2017.

Wendy said: “She’s had various battles with ill health over the last six years.

"But she’s constantly bounced back from illness and health challenges she’s been unbelievable really.

“Aimee has fought so much over the years with various things, and she’s always been so brave and so courageous and has inspired so many people.

“Despite the fact that Aimee was going through so much, she was always so supportive and helpful and kind to other people and was always so happy to listen to people.

“When she was in hospital with other people she met along the way, she touched so many people’s lives, and she had so much more to give in her short life that we’re just so devastated that she’s been taken away.”

Throughout Aimee’s constant health battles, the Anthony Nolan bone marrow trust and St James’s intensive care unit were with her every step of the way.

The family have set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding appeal as they have asked that instead of flowers, if people wish to make a small donation in her memory, they would like to make a donation to both Anthony Nolan bone marrow trust and St James’s intensive care unit who fought so hard to keep her alive.

Aimee’s funeral will take place on Thursday, June 16 at St Paul’s Church in Ramsbottom.

Aimee will be travelling from home to St. Paul's Church in Ramsbottom for the service at 1pm followed by a burial at 2pm at Ramsbottom Cemetery.

The wake is to be held at Buchanan Sports and Social Club where the family have said everyone is welcome.

Aimee's request was to wear bright colours, her colour was pink but anything colourful has been requested.

Click here for the GoFundMe page.