Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
WEAR PINK FOR ALESHA
Parents prepare to say goodbye
The funeral of Airdrie schoolgirl Alesha MacPhail will take place on Saturday, and her heartbroken family have asked mourners to wear pink as they say goodbye to their beloved little girl.
Alesha’s parents Genie Lochrane and Rab MacPhail say they will be “comforted” by the presence of anyone who has been affected by the six-year-old’s tragic death.
MacGregor Family Funeral Directors posted the request on their Facebook page.
It read: “We ask that the community show their support and help the family through this tragedy and through this very difficult day in their lives. “Mum and Dad have requested that everyone wears something pink.”
The service is scheduled to take place at Coats Funeral Home on Muiryhall Street at 11am.
Chapelside Primary pupil Alesha was found dead earlier this month while staying with family on holiday on Bute.
A 16-year-old charged with murdering Alesha appeared in court for the second time on Friday. He cannot be named for legal reasons. Last Friday, Genie and Rab were present when hundreds gathered at a vigil for Alesha in West End Park.
Balloons and lanterns were let off into the evening sky as mourners listened to Alesha’s favourite song, Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King.
The parents of tragic Alesha MacPhail were among the hundreds who attended a vigil for their daughter in Airdrie last Friday night. Wearing T- shirts bearing their beloved little girl’s image, Genie Loch ra ne and Rab MacPhail said they were “overwhelmed” by the turnout and the support that they have received. Their six- year-old daughter was killed earlier this month while on holiday on the Isle of Bute visiting her dad.
Holding Alesha’s school picture at the memorial event in West End Park, the devastated parents told of the comfort they’d taken from the thousands of heartfelt messages they had received during the last 12 days.
Genie, 23, said: “I just want to thank everyone who came along to remember Alesha and to support us. “It means so much.” At the start of the vigil, Genie broke down as her partner, George Horn, thanked everyone for their attendance.
George said: “The support the family have received, both here in Airdrie and Coatbridge and over in Rothesay, has been incredible.
“We’d like everyone to let their balloons go and think of Alesha. We know she’ll be able to see them.
“Alesha’s at peace now and we will never stop fighting until we get justice for her.”
Mourners of all ages then released balloons into the evening sky to the sounds of Alesha’s favourite song, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, from The Lion King.
George’s cousin, Roxanne Dornan, helped organise Friday’s vigil. She said: “We wanted to do something here for Genie as she was unable to attend the vigil in Rothesay last Sunday.
“It means so much to see so many people come along for Alesha and for the family.”
Earlier on Friday, Genie took to social media to inform her friends about the vigil for Alesha.
She wrote: “Our darling daughter is now back in her home town and we as a family can now start to focus on giving our angel the most amazing send off because that’s what she deserves and more.
“Thank you to everyone for all your support. I do not think any of us could be still standing strong without the support we have.
“I hope to see you [ at the vigil], so I can have a chance to thank everyone personally.”