A COASTGUARD team have named their new search and rescue vehicle after teenager Lily Wythe, who died waiting while for lifesaving cancer treatment.

Lily, 14, was set to fly to Seattle to receive treatment for her aggressive brain tumour. She sadly passed away on February 16.

The brave Eastwood Academy pupil captured the nation’s heart when her pal, Lillie Cotgrove, from Benfleet, came up with an idea to raise £300,000 for her treatment.

The One Pound Warriors went on to raise £230,000 within a week.

Many supported Lily and the family on her journey, including HM Coastguard Southend. And the team were so impressed with Lily’s bravery, they named their new vehicle after her.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard Southend said: “As some of you know we now have a bright and shiny new vehicle at the Southend Station, of which we are of course very proud.

“However we didn’t as of yet have a name for the vehicle, and were looking for some inspiration for a name.

“That inspiration has come from a young lady who, in such a short space of time, brought a community together. What better and more beautiful a name than Lily, a young lady who will now carry our team to help save other people in need?”

Lily was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma; a tumour which affects the central nervous system, including an individual’s sight, hearing, speech, ability to swallow, breathing and heart rate.

The One Pound Warriors group was formed with the idea of every member donating at least £1 to Lily’s fundraiser.

It went on to raise £230,000 within a week and attracted celebrity attention on social media including from Rachel Riley and Jonathan Ross.

Del Christie, from the coastguard team, said: “We’ve all been supporting Lily from the beginning, having donated to the cause and followed the One Pound Warriors page since it’s early stages.

“When I joined there were only 3,500 members, now there’s over 150,000.

“We got together as a team to discuss what would be the best name, and with the car being yellow and white, we knew Lily would fit perfectly.

“She was such a brave young lady who fought very hard, and this is our way of honouring her memory.

"It will be used for every emergency and incident we attend, and will carry lifesaving equipment. This is her way of giving back.”