Friends rallying round parents of tragic Marianne
FAMILY friends are rallying round the parents of an 11-year-old girl who was killed when she was hit by a car as she walked home from school.
Talented gymnast Marianne Haboc died following the crash on Taylor Street in Rochdale.
Last week, parents Joana and William paid tribute to their ‘beautiful daughter’.
And now Joana’s colleagues at Rochdale Infirmary have set up a crowdfunding appeal to help raise cash for the griefstricken family.
In a moving tribute on the JustGiving website they wrote: “Marianne was Joana and her husband William’s only child, they were devoted parents and she was the centre of their world.
“As Joana’s friends we cannot begin to understand the terrible grief and pain she must be going through at this time. We are devastated and shocked by the loss of her young daughter’s life.
“No-one expects to say goodbye to their child in the morning and never see them return home.
“We are all aware that this could have happened to any of us or our families and we are sending our love and prayers to all the family at this sad time.
“As a dedicated, hardworking and valued staff nurse, Joana has spent her whole career caring for and helping to support others through illness and difficult times. We now want to return this by fundraising.
“Although we know that no amount of money can ever bring back their little girl, we hope that through the generosity of others we can help Joana and her family.
“We want them to be able to spend time together, to deal with their unbearable grief, ease their pain and begin to cope with their future.”
A number of Marianne’s teachers and staff at St Patrick’s primary school have donated to the appeal and paid tribute to their former pupil.
Katherine Bentley wrote: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time teaching Marianne at St Patrick’s. She always had a smile on her face and would go out of her way to say hello.
“She will always be in my thoughts and prayers.”
The driver of the Range Rover involved in the collision was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has since been released under investigation while police continue to make inquiries.