SCORES of people attended an emotional memorial service held in the name of Laura McPhee.
As reported, the nine-year-old died on December 1, 2010, after suffering an asthma attack at her home in Humberston – prompting her mum Trace, dad Roy and brother Lewis to set up a charity in her name.
The Laura McPhee Memorial Fund raises money for life-saving equipment and the memorial service and carol concert held on Sunday afternoon was to remember lost loved ones and thank everyone that has donated to the cause.
The Reverend Steve Holt led the service, which included the carols Away In A Manger, Silent Night and O, Little Town Of Bethlehem.
He said: "I was contacted in September and asked if I would do the service and of course I agreed.
"The service was in memory of Laura, but it was also to give thanks to those who have donated to the charity in her name.
"The music for the service was chosen by the family and we invited people to light a candle in memory of Laura.
"It also helped raise awareness for the brilliant work the charity does."
During the service, Trace made a tearful speech about her daughter's death.
She said: "Two years ago we lost our precious daughter on the worst day of snow in years, it took the ambulance 40 minutes to get to us despite only living ten minutes away.
"With all the best efforts it was too late and our princess passed away from a severe asthma attack.
"From that day our lives have changed and we are tortured by what happened.
"The day is on rewind in our minds daily.
"We desperately love and miss her and our days won't be the same again without her.
"Just four weeks after Laura's precious life was taken away we decided to open The Laura McPhee Memorial Fund.
"We thought we would open it to help other babies and children with asthma and also carry on Laura's legacy.
"We have worked very hard every day to raise awareness and money for vital breathing units in our area and have raised over £30,000.
"We don't want any family going through what we do on a daily basis.
"Without Roy, Lewis and our committee friends as well as the public and the Grimsby Telegraph the charity wouldn't be what it is today, so I want to say a massive thank you to each of you."
Friends, family and members of the public lit candles and placed tags on a Christmas tree to remember loved ones.
Family friend Dianne Lee-Smith of North Sea Lane, Cleethorpes, said: "We wanted to come and show our support for the brilliant work that the charity does which has come out of a great tragedy.
"When Laura died I couldn't believe it. To lose a child is truly awful.
"Although the charity does a lot of good it is still very sad."
