A SCHOOLGIRL found dead at her home has been described as having “a smile that lit up a room” by her devastated parents.

Year 9 pupil Charley Pointon, 14, was rushed to Royal Stoke University Hospital on February 9.

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Paramedics had earlier been called to a medical emergency at her home in Bucknall.

An inquest has this week ruled Charley had committed suicide.

Her parents Lisa and Steve Pointon told StokeonTrentLive: “Charley had a fun personality with a smile that lit up a room.

“She loved her family and friends deeply and had a passion for fashion and holidays, with her favourite place being New York, which we visited four times.

“The death of Charley, as a family, is beyond words as we struggle to navigate through the days without her.

“As a family we will never come to terms with our loss and the pain we endure every day.”

The inquest heard Charley had attended The Discovery Academy in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent, as normal.

She returned from a friend’s house by 8pm but the alarm was raised at 10.30pm.

Assistant principal Becky Luby said: “Charley navigated high school in the same way she faced anything new, with determination and a smile.

“Her personality shone through in the first week, helping others who were finding high school a little daunting, with friendliness and compassion.

“Charley was a popular girl, always willing to help others and had a large circle of friends, not only within her peer group but across the school.

“She always kept us laughing with her quick wit and was affectionately known as our ‘little firecracker’, not because she was hot-headed but because she would always speak up for the things she believed in.

“It is said that school leaves an impression on students, Charley will leave a lasting impression on us for the smiles she put on our faces, Charley will always be remembered for her kindness, beautiful nature and the smiles she put on our faces.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a medical emergency at a private address on Willeton Street at 10:34pm on Friday, three ambulances and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

“On arrival we discovered one female patient.

“Following treatment at the scene the patient was taken to hospital.

“Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital it became apparent nothing could be done to save the patient and she was confirmed deceased.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.