Hundreds pay tribute to Gabby - video (From Worcester News)

Hundreds pay tribute to Gabby Grady - video

7:10am Monday 22nd February 2010 in News By Flora Drury, @floradruryWN #worcsnews

A QUIET descended on the packed market square as hundreds of brightly coloured balloons bobbed above the crowds.

Hundreds of people, many with young children themselves, had gathered in Evesham to say their own goodbyes to little Gabrielle “Gabby” Grady – a girl many of them had never met, but whose tragic story has shocked this Worcestershire town.

One week after five-year-old Gabby died, many paid their respects and released a balloon for the little girl on a wintry Sunday afternoon.

We previously reported how Gabby was trapped under water for about two hours after the car she was in plunged into the river Avon on Thursday, February 11. But while her six-year-old brother Ryan, also a passenger in the Vauxhall Vectra, managed to escape the sinking car along with their dad Chris, Gabby died in hospital three days later.

Forty-one-year-old Grady is currently in custody on charges of attempted murder, although one indictment is expected to be amended to one of murder at a later date.

Many standing in the square yesterday could not believe something like this could happen where they live.

People started to arrive, clutching balloons, at about 1pm – half-an- hour before the minute’s silence, arranged through social networking website Facebook, was due to take place.

The tree in the centre of the square, which has become a place for tributes to the five-year-old, drew some towards it. Others stayed on the edges of the historic square. Families stood close together.

As people arrived Gabby’s aunt Elise Mckart, one of the organisers of the event, stood in the winter sunshine holding a pink balloon with the words “Gabrielle, RIP I love you always, Auntie Leesie”.

“They’re turning up already and it’s not even the time yet,” the 16-year-old said, clearly moved.

“Everyone has been so supportive. Arranging the event has been very stressful, but the whole family is coming and they’re really happy with what’s being done.”

Elise, the younger sister of Gabby’s mum Kim Wise, had worked hard with the other organisers to make the event a special day of remembrance to her young niece.

“She was just beautiful and amazing,” said Elise.

“I did not really know her that well, but she was just gorgeous.”

Bev Keen, neighbour to Gabby’s grandparents, was also in the crowd waiting for the minute’s silence.

“We’re here to show our respects,” the 45-year-old said.

“It’s been a very difficult time for Gabby’s family but I think they have been touched by people’s reactions.”

Vicky Hunt, aged 39, of Evesham, who heard about the memorial service through Facebook, said: “We don’t know the family but when you have got children of your own you feel for Gabby’s mum.”

At 1.30pm a hush fell over all those who had filled the square in just half-an-hour as everyone took a moment to remember the little girl before the first of the pink balloons rushed up into the sky – followed by hundreds more – before everyone spontaneously applauded in memory of Gabby Grady.

Jodie Brotherton, of Pershore, one of the event’s main organisers, said: “There are so many tributes to Gabby on Facebook that it just felt fitting to do something.”

After the event Tracey Davies, another of the event’s organisers, posted online: “What a moving and emotional day, sad but good if that makes sense. I hope that Gabby is having balloon fights with the other princesses taken too young.”

• Were you there? How did you feel during the touching event? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.

• Do you have photographs from the day? Email them to yournews@worcesternews.co.uk

• View some of our pictures from the event here.