Kind-hearted people across the region have raised over £6,000 in three days following the death of a much-loved toddler.
An online fundraiser set up after it emerged Maya Louise Chappell died on Friday will be used to pay for the toddler’s funeral.
Her family and their friends want to honour her memory and have planned balloon and lantern releases on the day she is laid the rest.
Read more: Floral tributes left outside County Durham home after heartbreaking death of toddler
The two-year-old died in the RVI in Newcastle on Friday, two days after an incident at her home in Shotton Colliery.
Emergency services were called to Milton Grove to reports of a medical incident and Maya was taken to hospital by ambulance.
She spent two days in intensive care in a critical condition before losing her fight for life.
Well-wishers are continuing to leave flowers, teddies, pictures and balloons outside the house where the incident happened.
The exact circumstances remain unclear and police are urging people not to speculate on social media as a criminal investigation is underway.
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A man in 20s was arrested at the scene on Wednesday on suspicion of assault with intent to cause serious harm and released pending further inquiries.
Durham Constabulary has said a post mortem examination is being carried out on Tuesday to determine the cause of Maya’s death.
Read more: Suspect quizzed over serious assault after girl, 2, is critically injured
A Home Office pathologist will conduct the autopsy and provide a report to detectives from the major crime leading the inquiry.
A force spokesman said: “This was a tragic incident and our ongoing investigation is being progressed thoroughly and sensitively.”
To contribute to the fundraiser click here
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