A COMMUNITY wrapped a 12-year-old girl’s family in love as they said goodbye to their precious princess yesterday.
Friends and family of Leah Robshaw turned Stanley, in County Durham, pink for the day of her funeral by wearing something bright to reflect her fun-loving personality.
A fundraising campaign raised more than £3,000 to help the family pay tribute her with a beautiful and fitting memorial – which included a horse-drawn hearse.
The service, at St Andrew’s Church in Stanley, was led by Father Tommy Daglish and featured readings and letters to Leah from loved ones including some of her seven siblings - brother Liam remembered his “most precious little sister”, his “little Dotty”.
Leah, from South Moor, near Stanley, passed away of a suspected brain abscess at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on Sunday, January 16.
Her death has left her family, including mam Claire Robshaw, her seven siblings and grandmother Janet Middleton, heartbroken.
Those who knew Leah have said she will always be remembered for her bright, infectious smile and her kindness.
Read more: County Durham family 'heartbroken and empty' after death of happy schoolgirl
Read more: Schools' touching tributes after death of 'simply wonderful' County Durham girl
A year eight pupil at North Durham Academy, she enjoyed music and dancing, making TikTok videos and visiting a local park with her sisters, cousins and friends.
Leah Robshaw, 12
Pupils from Greenland Primary School in Stanley wear pink on the day of the funeral of Leah Robshaw a former pupil Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Children and staff at her old school, Greenland Community Primary School, all wore something pink for Leah and donated almost £400 which will be given to the family.
Headteacher Anne-Marie Lewis said: “We did this to support her family. Leah came through, her five older sibling came through and her cousins are in the primary school and we’ve supported the family in different ways over the years.
“Once you are part of our school community, you always are, and as a community it was the right thing to do to remember Leah so her family know we are here for them.
“If there is anything we can do to make things a little bit easier for the family, I assure them we are here.”
The school also plans to plant a cherry blossom tree in memory of Leah next month.
It will be placed in a garden at the front of the building, rather than in a memorial garden in the school woods, so it is accessible for loved ones.
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