Family’s plea to plant flowers for tragic Ellen
THE funeral of teenage college student Ellen Higginbottom, who was found dead near a wheat field in a park, will be held on Thursday.
And her grieving family have asked mourners planning on attending to ‘take a minute’ and plant a tree, bush or flowers as lasting tributes to her short life. A man remains in custody charged with 18-year-old Ellen’s murder.
Ellen, a sixth-former in Wigan, was found dead in the early hours of Saturday, June 17, close to Orrell Water Park. She had been reported missing the day before after she did not return home from Winstanley College.
A post-mortem examination later confirmed she died from multiple wounds to the neck.
Her family have issued an open invitation to anyone who knew Ellen to attend the funeral service at Altrincham Crematorium, on Whitehouse Lane, in Dunham Massey, Altrincham. Thursday’s service is due to start at noon.
In a statement released through police, her family said: “All that knew Ellen are welcome to the funeral service. The family have asked that instead of flowers and donations that people take a moment and to plant a tree, bush or flowers in remembrance of Ellen.”
Mark Steven Buckley, 51, of New Hall Lane, Preston, is charged with her murder.
A trial date has been set for December although the next court hearing is due to take place in September.