A FUNDRAISER supporting the family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death in a horror attack says more than £33,000 has been donated within days.
She praised support from the local community and beyond after Aria Thorpe was killed in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, last Monday.
A boy of 15 appeared in court on Friday accused of her murder and will face trial next year.
Family friend Heather Prindiville set up a donations site to help the grieving relatives.
Ms Prindiville, 44, revealed the sum raised so far and added: “This isn’t something that anybody is going to heal from quickly and there’s going to be so much that has to get done.”
On Friday, Aria’s family paid heartfelt tributes, describing her as the “most beautiful little soul” and a “special little angel”.
A statement from the mother’s side of the family said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul — happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.
“The loss of Aria has devastated us beyond words.
“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible.
“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.
“We are truly touched by the lovely messages we have received from friends and the local community over recent days.
“It has meant an awful lot to us all.
“We politely ask that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl.”
