Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Grieving family thanks community for support
A GRIEVING mum has thanked the local community for its support following the tragic death of her “baby girl”.
Almost 1,000 people have raised more than £18,000 to pay the funeral costs for Freya Skene who died following an accident on Monday.
Freya, 7, from Wolsely Street in Dundee, was swept away while playing at the fairy pools at The Hermitage.
Both she and her mum, Brooke, were taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital under police escort.
However, Freya later died in hospital, while her mum was treated for non-life threatening injuries and allowed home.
A statement on behalf of the family said: “We had to say goodbye to our best friend, our life, our world, our everything. Freya and I were in a freak accident that had us pulled down multiple waterfalls.
“I was lucky to survive but sadly our poor baby girl passed away. Freya was a cheeky little devil who we loved so much.
“Our family are so grateful for all of the support we have received. However, we now ask that we are given time to grieve for Freya in peace.”
A GoFundMe page has already raised just shy of £20,000 for “Princess Freya’s final farewell ball”.
Benjamin Roy, 26, will also be selling a shirt signed by UFC mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor along with a canvas of his fight with Nate Diaz.
Benjamin, a friend of Brooke, said: “As a parent I don’t want to even imagine what they are going through. Dundee has come together yet again. I’m so proud of everyone.”
Following a post-mortem examination, Freya’s death was confirmed as non-suspicious.
Detective Chief Inspector Ray Birnie of Dundee CID said: “I would like to recognise the efforts of the emergency responders who attended the scene and also the medical staff who later battled to save Freya.
“I would also like to thank the witnesses who came forward.
“We continue to provide support to Freya’s family. I’d like to stress the family have requested their privacy is respected.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of tributes have been paid. Paul Kean of boxing group Skyaxe said: “Freya was part of the Skyaxe family and was doing tremendously well and our hearts are breaking for Brooke and Sean and Freya’s dad, Robert Skene.”
Leah Strachan is compiling a remembrance book of pictures, memories and words of comfort. She said:” If people would like to message me with photos and words I will put them all together in a memory book for Brooke.”