Katie Rough murder: Parents celebrate her eighth birthday with releasing balloons
THE heartbroken parents of Katie Rough gathered with friends and family yesterday to release balloons to celebrate what would have been the little girl’s eighth birthday.
Katie Rough’s parents release balloons to celebrate her eights birthday
The 200 balloons also marked a week since Katie was stabbed to death on a playing field just half a mile from her home.
A crowd of more than 100 joined Alison Rough, 38, and her husband Paul, 34, to sing Happy Birthday as the balloons went skywards at 4pm.
Katie, described as “beautiful, creative and special” by her parents, had her throat slashed in the leafy Woodthorpe area of York.
The 200 balloons also marked a week since Katie was stabbed to death
A crowd of more than 100 joined to sing Happy Birthday
A 15-year-old girl arrested nearby has been charged with murder and the illegal possession of a Stanley knife and is being held on remand.
We are grateful to the community for coming together to celebrate Katie’s birthday
Her family invited the community to Westfield Park, beside Westfield Primary School where Katie was a pupil.
It was their first public appearance since the tragedy and accompanied by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, they let go of the multi-coloured balloons which they watched float away.
The couple gripped each other as they huddled together with Katie’s grandparents Steven and Sharon Rough.
DCI Dave Ellis gives statement after death of Katie Rough
An aerial view of the field where Katie was stabbed to death
They did not speak but handed out a statement which read: “The family wish to let everyone know that we are grateful to the community for coming together to celebrate Katie’s birthday.
"They are also thankful for all the donations that have been made and of the kind thoughts over the last week.”