If there is one word that truly captures Riya, it is ‘Love’. For her parents, younger sister, family, friends, everyone she came into contact with.

And it is that love, and an act of grace, which saw her save the lives of four others when she received her angel wings on 28 December.

Riya was special. Wise beyond her nine years, she was blessed with the rare gift of creating strong, deep meaningful connections, spreading joy to everyone she met.

To her parents, Riya was a beautiful, miracle baby, born after a decade-long infertility journey. To her younger sister, she was a smart, funny, doting, devoted, caring best friend, who was happy to spend hours entertaining her and bringing laughter by performing scenes in different accents. Riya also touched all those she met with her affection, thoughtfulness and numerous acts of kindness.

Riya loved ‘Love’; she loved saying it, writing it and was always drawing love hearts. While the only thing she didn’t love was pizza, from an early age she spread love, running up to people and giving them the warmest of hugs.

Her sparkling eyes, radiant smile and magnetic energy drew people to her and brightened any space she was in. Her quiet strength and determination belied her gentle nature.

Through compassion and empathy, she made it her mission to help others, determined to make a difference in the world. Because bringing happiness to others made her happy. If anyone was upset, she would find a way to help them.

Spirituality was a key part of her life and Riya could often be found from a very young age, sitting on her bed meditating like an old soul.

Riya’s curious mind absorbed information like a sponge and she was always excited to recite all her learnings to anyone who would listen. She saw academic excellence as a path for personal growth and a way to make her mark on the world.

She was also creative and had a passion for the arts – music, singing at the top of her voice, dancing, arts and crafts and Lego. She was an adventurer at heart and loved travelling to new places, so was thrilled to realise her greatest dream of going with her family to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower, where she made unforgettable memories.

Riya was a shining light who embraced life fully with a joyful spirit. She has left a lasting imprint of love in the hearts of everyone she touched.