Winter party in Leanne’s memory
AWINTER Wonderland event will be held in memory of tragic Leanne Collopy and to raise money for her family this Christmas.
The nursery teacher suffered serious injuries on July 30 and died in hospital on August 3.
Former All Saints pupil, Leanne, 25, worked at Bright Futures Day Nursery, in Crawshawbooth, and was the ‘favourite teacher’ of Lee Gueller’s three-year-old son Raphi.
Lee, of Burnley Road, in Rawtenstall, said his family were left ‘shocked and speechless’ by Leanne’s death and wanted to organise a big event in her memory.
The Winter Wonderland will be held at St Mary’s Chambers in Rawtenstall and will feature Disney characters Cinderella and Elsa and Kristoff, from the film Frozen.
Young actress Lilly Aspell, who starred in the recent Wonder Woman film, will make an appearance, and visitors can also enjoy a mobile petting zoo, stalls, Americanthemed food, face painting and craft workshops by Arty Party Rossendale.
Lee, 36, said: “Leanne worked at the nursery where my three-year-old son Raphi goes and she was his favourite.
“I remember when my missus rang me up to tell me what happened to Leanne and she was crying and couldn’t speak.
“I thought I need to do something. I have done it to let her family know that people care and that Leanne will never be forgotten.”
The event, sponsored by Willows, Wags and Whiskers in Crawshawbooth, will take place on Sunday, December 17, from 12 noon to 6pm. Entry £6 for adults and £4 for children.
Lee, who runs his own courier business and coaches boxing at Riverside Health Club, in Rawtenstall, said it will also include a DJ playing Disney and Christmas songs and a raffle where a signed David Beckham Champions League baseball cap will be up for grabs.
A man has appeared in court accused of Leanne’s murder.
‘I have to let her family know that people care’