With warmth in their broken hearts, a community has come together on a cold, crisp evening to honour one of their own.
A moving and emotional candlelit vigil has been held for Maya Louise Chappell, the much-loved toddler who died tragically a week ago.
Family and friends gathered at Consett Football Club on Friday evening, still coming to terms with the reality her sad death is the subject of a murder inquiry.
Read more: Heartbroken dad pays tribute as toddler injured in Shotton Colliery incident dies in hospital
Over 100 people joined the two-year-old’s nearest and dearest, including her father, James Chappell at the Belle View Stadium, home of The Steelmen.
A youth goal set up near the centre circle became the focal point for crowds arriving just before 7.30pm.
Framed pictures of Maya’s cherubic face were placed at each post, surrounded by flickering lights that danced in the cold night air.
Beloved by those who knew her, and her cheeky grin, hers is a face that has, in the last week or so, broken the hearts of strangers.
So much so over £7,500 has been raised in Maya’s memory to give her a send-off ‘as special as she was’.
Details of what happened at her home in Shotton Colliery last Wednesday remain unclear and are subject to a criminal investigation, but this morning 26-year-old Michael Daymond appeared in court charged with murder.
A 23-year-old woman has also been arrested in connection with the incident but details of her suspected crime are not known.
Police have asked people not to speculate but it is these circumstances people across the region, especially those who knew and loved Maya, are struggling to comprehend.
Tonight though, was about remembering her life.
Between the two angelic photographs, tealights were arranged in a heart and throughout the vigil balloons bobbed about in the breeze.
Families with children attended, some held each other while they stood in silence for several, maybe ten or more, minutes, each person alone in their thoughts.
Quietly, and respectfully, honouring a little girl’s memory.
Almost spontaneously the crowd broke into applause and gloved hands clapped for around a minute, celebrating the life of Maya Louise Chappell and the joy she brought so many.
Read next:
- Police provide update into Shotton Colliery investigation
- County Durham toddler dies in hospital after alleged assault as investigation continues
- County Durham toddler fighting for her life as man is arrested after incident
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