Fun day tribute to ‘caring’ Alesha

“Happy, caring and loving” Alesha MacPhail was remembered with smiles and pride yesterday exactly one day after she was cruelly taken from her family.

Her loving mum, Georgina Lochrane, released balloons at Alesha’s graveside in Coltswood cemetery along with her partner George Horn, Alesha’s five-year-old sister Courtney and close family members.

Relatives and friends also shared their smiling photos and favourite memories of the much-loved sixyear-old online with the hashtags “smile for Alesha” and “light for Alesha”.

Hundreds of people also attended a memorial fun day in Coatbridge last weekend to honour Alesha – while her school, Chapelside Primary, recently unveiled a stunning £ 20,000 wooden playhouse in her memory, funded by online donations from around the world.

Georgina said: “Every single year we are going to do something different for her anniversary. For the future I’m just going to focus on trying to build her legacy and keep going.

“Just remember Alesha and who she was – she was happy, caring, loving, bubbly; literally perfect.

“She always had a beaming, bright smile. I want to see everyone smiling because that’s the way she would want it to be; she’d want everyone to be happy.”

Alesha was tragically murdered on July 2, 2018. The Advertiser is respectfully not recounting the harrowing events of last year.

Brave mum Georgina, 24, has summoned amazing strength and courage with the support from FAMS (Families and Friends Against Murder and Suicide), and has since completed the Kiltwalk in Alesha’s memory and has campaigned alongside the charity.

Saturday’s fun day raised more than £2100 for FAMS, to support other families dealing with grief.

The busy event, organised by Georgina with family and friends, included live music and dance performances, DJs, a visit from a fire engine and dozens of children’s activities including inflatables, face painting and stalls.

Georgina said: “All I could see at Alesha’s fun day was everyone happy, laughing and smiling. For those few hours it was like what had happened was far from our minds.

“That was all I wanted to achieve – just one day where everyone could be happy and remember her for her, and we did that.

“Alesha would have loved it and that’s all I keep thinking. I’ve done Alesha proud. She was with us.”

She added: “I’m overwhelmed by what we have achieved; it means everything to me.

“I don’t know how I’m going to top Saturday but I’ll figure out a way. I can’t let Alesha’s memory just fade away. I’ve got to keep going.”

FAMS co- founder Ann Marie Cocozza said: “This money will make a huge impact on the charity and the free services we provide.

“The day was all about Alesha – a fitting testament to the fun-filled little girl.

“Georgina is determined that Alesha’s passing will not define who she was and she really has achieved that.”

Fun and games Kids, including Courtney, centre, had a great time at the event

Webbed wonders These boys got their faces painted like Spider-Man