Katie Rough fund for seven-year-old York murder victim’s family hits £15,000 after massive £5k donation from charity
THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for the grieving family of a seven-year-old who was slashed to death with a Stanley knife.
Katie Rough was found with horrific injuries in a field near her York home, with a 15-year-old since remanded in custody, charged with her murder.
More than £15,000 has now been raised for the family , who have thanked the community for their outpouring of support.
One family member wrote: "Thank you everyone for your generosity to my family at this time.
"This money will enable my daughter and son in law the space to grieve for Katie with out having to worry about paying household bills while they cannot work. I still cannot believe the generosity and love shown to my family at this horrendous time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart everyone. X"
Another wrote: "Just wanted to once again say thanku to every1 who has donated the generosity of strangers is over whelming on behalf of my sister and the rest of the family thanku x".
One of the donations included a sizeable donation of £5000 from the Leeds Christmas Charity lunch.
Members of the grieving family, including Katie's grandparents, faced court yesterday to see the 15-year-old charged with the schoolgirl's murder.
The 15-year-old did not say anything during the court appearance, with the teen remanded in custody until her second appearance at a Leeds court on Friday.
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Mum-of-two Maggie Jackson set up the fundraising page, saying that although she did not know the family personally, she had felt driven to support them.
She said: "I'm a mum with two little boys and one is the same age as Katie, so what her mum must be going through really hit home.
"I didn't want to invade their privacy and contact her directly, I just wanted to do something and go for it because I felt really bad for the family."
Setting up the fundraising pages after Katie's death, the upset mum had written: "No mother should be going through what Katies mum is having to deal with... breaks my heart."
Floral tributes have since been left at the scene where Katie's body was found, just minutes from her York home.
The seven-year-old girl was remembered as a "princess" by her family, with the little girl having been a bridesmaid at her parents' wedding just two weeks before her death.
Her mother Alison Rough was left sobbing on the street after finding her daughter's body in a field on Monday afternoon.
The young girl was rushed to hospital but died of her injuries a short time later.