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Friends rally to Laura's baby girl - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
FRIENDS and colleagues of tragic Scarborough hairdresser Laura Smith have set up a trust fund to help her baby daughter.
The killing of the 29-year-old mother almost two weeks ago has left Olivia to grow up without her mum and she has no brothers or sisters.
Miss Smith's former partner has been charged with her murder.
Funds are now being collected to help secure the future well-being of seven-month-old daughter Olivia, who is now being brought up by her grandparents who will be retiring and who are concerned about the little girl's prospects.
Laura's mother Trish Smith, 55, said she and her husband Colin, 60, have been "overwhelmed" by the support.
She said yesterday: "We did not expect anything like this. Words cannot describe how grateful we are.
"The fund is going to be a huge help. We are going to be retiring in a few years and now face the daunting task of bringing up a child.
"Obviously we don't think twice about doing it, but we were worried about how we would cope. This fund will help towards securing Olivia's future."
Mrs Smith told the Evening News: "Laura would have done anything for her daughter, but she is not here to do that anymore, so we will be doing the best we can for her.
"The fund is also keeping Laura's memory alive. The amount of people who have donated really shows how well she was thought of and what a wonderful mum she was becoming.
"It is a huge help for us to have something positive like this to focus on at this time. Thank you so much to Laura's friends, everyone who has supported the trust and the people of Scarborough."
The fund was organised by Laura's former employers at Hair by Helena, in Westborough, where she had worked since the age of 16.
Salon owner Helena Scott said there had been countless offers from people wanting to donate money in Laura's memory. She added: "People want to know that their money is safe and won't be touched."
Alan Scott, her husband, said the money would be ringfenced under the control of a board of trustees. He said: "All the customers wanted to donate money and they were asking where they could donate it to.
"We thought it would be a good idea to set up a trust fund for when Olivia is older to give her a start in life – for her education or whatever."
Any donations for the fund can be made by calling in to Hair By Helena on Westborough or contacting Helena Scott on (01723) 375944.
Police were called to Southwold Rise, East?eld, after Miss Smith was reported unconscious at about 11.30am on Sunday, July 11.
She was taken to Scarborough Hospital and officers launched a murder inquiry the following evening after she died.
Miss Smith's ex-partner, Nigel Pickard, 45, of Filey Road, has been charged with murder and is next due to appear at Leeds Crown Court at the end of September.
Anyone with any information that could help the investigation is urged to contact police on 0845 6060247. Alternatively, information can also be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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