The grieving father of a toddler who died after a suspected assault has made an emotional post as he prepares to lay his little girl to rest.
People are expected to line the streets of Consett as the community honours the life of two-year-old Maya Louise Chappell.
Mourners will be wearing pink as that was Maya’s favourite colour.
Read more: Heartbroken dad pays tribute as toddler injured in Shotton Colliery incident dies in hospital
The procession will leave Derwentside Funeral Service on Medomsley Road in Consett at 1.40pm heading past the fire station and going through Leadgate to the Our Lady and St Joseph’s Church on the A692.
Maya will be carried in a horse drawn carriage and the service is due to start at 2pm.
She died two days after she was found in a critical condition after emergency services were called to Milton Grove in Shotton Colliery on Wednesday September 28.
Maya was airlifted to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary but she died in hospital.
Michael Daymond, 26, from Shotton Colliery, has been charged with murder and is due to stand trial in March.
The nature of the criminal investigation has been deeply upsetting for people across the region and over £14,000 has been raised in her memory.
Maya’s father James Chappell, from Consett, has asked for only family and close friends to go inside the church and for people paying their respects to remain in the grounds.
Writing on Facebook this morning he said: “Well today is the day I lay you to rest baby girl and hopefully you can finally be at complete peace.
“Sorry it’s took so long. If I could of done it sooner I would.
“I love you so much Maya Louise Chappell, so does all your family.
“You’ll be sat with your grandma and our Brooklyn and all the rest and I know you’re in good hands so this isn’t a goodbye forever baby girl, just a goodbye for now.
“I’ll see you again someday and I’ll make everything up to you.
“Until we meet again little girl.”
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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