💔 A HEARTBREAKING FAREWELL FOR MINNIE MERRIMAN — MUM LAURIE COLLAPSES IN GRIEF, JUST 4 WORDS ABOUT HER DAUGHTER HAVE LEFT EVERYONE HEARTBROKEN
The mother of ‘murdered’ nine-year-old girl Minnie Merriman joined mourners, bikers and a piper for an emotional farewell procession in Scotland
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Minnie Merriman’s mum Laurie joined hundreds of people in Arbroath(Image: Dave Johnston)
Mourners lined the streets as the heartbroken mother of a nine-year-old girl, allegedly murdered by her dad, cried during a farewell procession for the child.
Minnie Merriman, from West Yorkshire, was found seriously injured at the Elliot industrial estate, on August 3, in Arbroath, Scotland, while her family were camping in the area. The little girl later died at Ninewells Hospital, in Dundee. Community members in the Scottish town lined the streets as a private ambulance carrying the schoolgirl travelled from Dundee to Arbroath in her “final journey” through Scotland.
Devastated mum Laurie Merriman was surrounded by her family as she held onto a bunny with Minnie’s name on it.
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Minnie tragically died on August 3 while on a family trip to Scotland(Image: Police Scotland/PA Wire)
Laurie placed her head against the vehicle as she and her family sobbed. The mum said: “Love you forever Minnie.” The family then walked in front of the ambulance with a piper as the vehicle slowly drove past mourners. A group of bikers also tailed the ambulance during the procession.
Hundreds of people gathered to remember Minnie as flowers, balloons and teddy bears were all left by the ambulance as tributes to the nine-year-old. Others let off white flares at the seafront, in memory of the girl.
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The family were led by a piper past hundreds of people(Image: Dave Johnston)
Minnie’s family will then make the 280-mile journey from Arbroath to their home in Yorkshire to hold a private funeral.
A family friend, according to the Daily Record, said: “Minnie will be leaving Scotland and beginning her journey home to Yorkshire. Bringing her home is an important step as Laurie and the family prepare to give Minnie the send off she truly deserves.
“Minnie’s funeral will be a celebration of her life, honouring her personality, her joy, and the special moments that made her so unforgettable. We are so deeply grateful for the kindness shown so far.”
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Bikers followed behind the ambulance during the procession (Image: Dave Johnston)
Since Minnie’s death three weeks ago, toys and flowers have been laid by locals at the spot where the little girl was found. The Scottish town also paid tribute to Minnie through a minute’s silence, on August 8, ahead of Arbroath’s match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family and has raised more that £8,000. In an update, on August 20, the organiser wrote: “We finally have the news we’ve been waiting for. This coming week, Minnie will be leaving Scotland and beginning her journey home to Yorkshire.
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Minnie’s mum said ”love you forever Minnie’ during the procession(Image: Dave Johnston)
“Bringing her home is an important step as Laurie and the family prepare to give Minnie the send off she truly deserves. All donations will first go towards giving Minnie the very best possible funeral and farewell. A dignified goodbye that reflects just how deeply she was loved, without adding financial pressure to the family.
“Minnie’s funeral will be a celebration of her life, honouring her personality, her joy, and the special moments that made her so unforgettable.”
Minnie’s father was charged with murder following her death. Christopher Rice, 35, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court on August 5.
The dad made a further appearance in private at the same court on August 13. He did not enter a plea and was fully committed and remanded in custody.
SOURCE: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/minnie-merriman-arbroath-murdered-mourners-37589650
