tributes to girl, 7, who died on camping trip
DEVASTATED MUM AND DAD PAY TRIBUTE TO DAUGHTER, SEVEN
THE parents of a schoolgirl who died suddenly on a camping trip have paid tribute to their ‘energetic, caring and bubbly’ daughter.
Lacey Warburton, seven, from Stalybridge, collapsed in her father’s arms after playing during the holiday last month.
Paramedics rushed to the campsite, near Halifax in West Yorkshire, but within 90 minutes, Lacey died in hospital. The cause of her death is unknown and further tests are being carried out.
Lacey, known by her loved ones as their ‘little butterfly,’ may have had a weak heart.
Parents Ray, 38, and Jodie, 35, said they want to celebrate Lacey’s life and have plans to set up a charity in her memory.
Just hours before the tragedy on August 14, Lacey spent the day shopping with her mum and was treated to new toys. She was excited to show them to a new friend staying nearby. Lacey was playing in her tent with her older brother before her new friend joined them. She told her brother she was feeling unwell and they went to tell their parents.
Ray told the M.E.N.: “She started to say she felt sick. She fell back onto the floor, I thought she was messing around. I picked her up and took her outside and stood her up. She felt a bit wobbly. Then from nowhere she threw her arms out and with a big smile said ‘I am fine, Daddy.’
“So I thought she was messing about. She then collapsed onto me, I had her in my arms. Once the ambulance arrived you think everything is going to be all right, but they never brought her back again.”
Jodie said: “That day we had gone into Halifax, bought her some new toys to play with her friend.
“She was fine. We went to the shops and got crisps, drinks and bits and bobs, she was fine in the car.
“When we got back she was upset her friend was not back, but then her friend did come back.
“What is heartbreaking is that her friend and her brother witnessed it.”
Lacey was a former pupil at Poplar Street Primary School and started at St Peter’s Catholic Primary in Stalybridge this year. “Anyone that knew her knew she would light up any room,” Ray said. “She was energetic, full of life. She was one of the most bubbly people. She would make friends with any kids. She was the most caring child you could ever meet.” There was standing room only at Lacey’s funeral, which the family prefer to refer to as ‘Lacey’s Day,’ at Dukinfield Cemetery last Thursday.
A carriage was pulled by ‘unicorn’ horses and a bus was filled with balloons, which were later released.
Lacey’s mum and dad want to set up a charity in her name.
The family has set up Facebook page – ‘Love of Lacey’ – and are appealing for help to get the charity up and running. There are plans to host a adult only event and as a family-fun day to raise cash next month.
Dates are yet to be finalised and Ray and Jodie still looking for venues.
They say there should be more charities for parents whose children pass away suddenly.
“I am heartbroken with support – I wouldn’t like to imagine what people are going through who don’t have sup- port,” Jodie added. “We have broken down a few times over the past couple of weeks, sometimes we just want to get out and go away from it all. We want there to be a caravan or a log cabin for people to get away.”
To make a donation, visit facebook. com/LoveOfLacey.
Anyone that knew her knew she would light up any room Lacey’s dad Ray