A distraught father who was told his daughter has just days to live after being diagnosed with cancer has described his family's gratitude for an 'incredible' outpouring of public support.

East Anglian Daily Times: Poppy-Mai Barnard with her family, Mum Sammi and Dad Andy in Thetford to watch the Eddie Stobart lorry which has been named after her.Poppy-Mai Barnard with her family, Mum Sammi and Dad Andy in Thetford to watch the Eddie Stobart lorry which has been named after her. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2016)

Poppy-Mai Barnard was diagnosed with incurable malignant rhabdoid cancer two weeks ago, with the disease spreading to her kidney, lungs and brain.

Parents, Andy, 31, and Sammi Barnard, 29, brought the 16-month-old back to her Thetford home last week, with doctors telling them she did not have long to live.

Mr Barnard said the diagnosis had stunned the family – which includes Poppy-Mai's brothers Rylee, six, and Jenson-Jay, four – and described the pain of seeing his daughter go through the illness.

'She was teething and was struggling compared to her brothers, so we thought that was the problem.

East Anglian Daily Times: Poppy-Mai Barnard from ThetfordPoppy-Mai Barnard from Thetford (Image: Archant)

'The doctors thought the same thing.

'But Sammi knew something was wrong and went to A&E, where she was diagnosed. I had been in America working at the time and asked to come home early.

'I've been distraught watching her disappear in front of my eyes, because that's what cancer does.

'We brought her home because we'd rather she enjoyed her last moments at home in an environment she thrived in, rather than surrounded by tubes and machines in a hospital,' he said.

A deluge of calls from friends and family followed the diagnosis, prompting Mr Barnard to share Poppy-Mai's story on a Facebook page.

That page has garnered more than 19,000 members since, and sparked floods of support from around the world, with messages pouring into the page.

Well-wishers have organised a raft of fund-raising and remembrance events, including creating car stickers, putting on a charity football match and even writing songs for the toddler.

Two Just Giving pages have also raised nearly £7,000 to help the family.

On Tuesday, a mystery benefactor organised a plane to carry a sign reading 'Poppy Mai' over Thetford, in support of the family.

And on the same day, haulier Eddie Stobart confirmed it had named one of its lorries after Poppy-Mai, and plans to bring it to her home for her to see.

Mr Barnard said strangers' generosity had amazed him, and was moved by the plane's message.

'We are going through such a difficult time but I am so humbled by the kindness and generosity from people all over the world,' he said.

Mr Barnard said he would now be trying to raise awareness of malignant tumours, to give other families the chance to get the most out of their final moments with their children.