Eight-year-old Olivia dies after asthma attack at Wycombe school (From Bucks Free Press)

Olivia Chandler dies after suffering asthma attack at Ash Hill Primary School

8:20am Sunday 10th October 2010 in High Wycombe By Simon Farr

THE HEARTBROKEN High Wycombe family of an eight-year-old girl who died following an asthma attack at school has paid tribute to their 'cheeky little angel'.

Olivia Chandler passed away on Thursday, September 30 after an asthma attack at Ash Hill Primary School.

Tributes have poured in for the “much-loved and happy” youngster from her school teachers, friends and family members.

Parents Teresa and Darren Chandler said their popular daughter was “a cheeky, fun-loving so and so” but was “like the second mum” of their High Wycombe home.

They added “she had a smile that could light up a room” and simply called her “our little angel”.

Dad Darren, 39, said: “She was a cheeky little so and so – we called her our cheeky monkey because she had these lovely cheeks.

“If you asked anyone around here or at school about Olivia, they would say immediately she was cheeky, fun-loving and would say her smile – it could light up a room. She was an angel.”

Teresa, 31, added that Olivia visited her parent's bedroom every morning and every evening to kiss her parents good morning and good night.

But the distraught mum said her biggest regret was “not getting a kiss and cuddle” on the day her daughter died, as Olivia chose to walk to school instead of taking up a lift.

She said: “She was always there for me. If ever I was down she would always say 'come and talk to me mummy' –she was such a caring child.

“She was very popular at school, she had her little group of six friends, including her best friend Chloe. You couldn't part them at school, they were two peas in a pod.”

She added that Olivia loved “all things fairies, mermaids and monkeys” and spent hours designing clothes ahead of a future career in the fashion.

Olivia also enjoyed baton dancing at the Polish Club in Forest Way and loved playing with her sisters – Kayleigh, 10 and Nicole, 2.

The parents reserved praised for their friends and family, who have flooded their home with cards and messages of support and condolences on a Facebook tribute group.

Children and staff at the Herbert Road school were told of the tragedy last Friday by headteacher Jennifer Gamble, who said the school was 'shocked and very sad'.

She said: “Olivia was a much-loved, happy, little girl whose gentle manner and ready smile will be missed by us all.

“This is a terrible tragedy, we all feel desperately sad that Olivia is no longer with us.

“It has been very difficult for everyone - but everyone has been incredibly supportive and everyone has been looking after each other. We're all very sad but all together.”

Mr and Mrs Chandler said everyone is welcome to pay their respects at the funeral, which is to be held at 1.30pm on Thursday at St Augustine's Church in High Wycombe.

The family and the school plan to hold a special ceremony at the school in the coming weeks, with the unveiling of a permanent memorial.

A minute's applause will also be observed during Wycombe Wanderers' home game against Chesterfield on Saturday in memory of Olivia.

The family have asked for friends and family to leave their favourite memories of Olivia on the Facebook tribute group or by emailing the Bucks Free Press via bfpnews@london.newsquest.co.uk