Celebrate Molly-Mae's life

RGP 10Dec15 - Molly-Mae Cossey with her sand crabs. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Friends and family of Molly-Mae Cossey will celebrate the youngster's 16th birthday at one of her favourite local haunts.

Molly-Mae lost her long battle with cancer on July 23, but before her death, the Whakatane High School student loved the beach and being part of the Whakatane Surf Life Saving Club.

Her mother Michelle Cossey said Ohope Beach was the perfect place to remember Molly-Mae and wish her happy birthday.

"We want to keep things low-key but, at the same time, provide an opportunity for those who knew and loved Molly-Mae to share her 16th birthday," Ms Cossey said. "She touched so many lives during her own short life, and this birthday party is for them.

"The surf club was a big part of summers. She was a sand crab coach during the last summer and spent many hours with the kiddies. They loved her."

Birthday celebrations get underway at 5pm outside the surf club with a paddle out past the breakers (weather permitting). Students from Molly-Mae's school, Whakatane High, will perform at 6.30pm.

"We will have a bonfire and a sausage sizzle. As close to dusk as possible we will release 16 lanterns to represent each year of Molly's life, I have sparklers for the kiddies, and there will be a birthday cake along with Molly's favourite chocolate brownie.

"We want the celebration to be very casual and encourage families to bring a blanket down to the beach, grab some fish and chips and enjoy the moment.

"It is a time to remember our beautiful, dedicated, loyal, courageous, strong-willed, focused and fun-loving daughter and friend. The hole she has left in our hearts and lives is beyond words. We miss you Molly-Mae."

The family will also be donating a trophy to the Whakatane Surf Club, called the Molly-Mae Cossey Trophy and awarded annually to the most outstanding surf coach of the season.

Ms Cossey would also like to let people know where funds raised at Molly-Mae's funeral were gifted. A total of $2576 was collected. The Child Cancer Foundation received $500, Hospice Eastern Bay received $500, the Starship Foundation received $500, the Dream Chaser Foundation $500, Ronald McDonald House received $326 and Canteen $250.

"We wanted to acknowledge all organisations that helped us so much during Molly's illness," she said.