A FUN DAY in memory of a five-year-old tragically killed earlier this year has raised enough for both a memorial bench and a large donation towards the hospital which tried so hard to save her.

Gabby Grady spent three days at Birmingham Children’s Hospital before losing her fight for life on Sunday, February 11.

She had been trapped in a car – allegedly driven deliberately by father Christopher Grady – submerged in the river Avon for two hours. Her brother, six-year-old Ryan, and father managed to escape.

And now the family are delighted to be able to give the hospital a donation of more than £2,200, which was raised at a fun day held at Ronkswood Community Centre, as well as being able to install a new memorial bench for the little girl at Astwood Cemetery.

Lorraine Thomasson, one of the organisers, said: “We just thought of the best way we could help. It has been a real group effort to organise.”

Hundreds of items were donated to be sold by people from both Evesham – where the family lived before the tragedy and where mum Kim Wise hopes to return eventually – and Ronkswood, Worcester, where Miss Wise and Ryan are currently living.

“It is a really good turnout. Friends from Evesham have come all the way over,” said Miss Wise.

Mayor Mike Layland opened the event which was visited by about 300 people – who were spoilt for choice when it came to stalls and activities.

Another of the day’s organisers, Julie Thomasson, said: “We have had a fantastic response. So much was donated – this is almost going over the top. Everyone has really come out to support us.”

Stalls selling clothes, bric-a-brac, sweets and cakes filled the community centre, while children jumped on the bouncy castle and adults enjoyed the spectacle of grown men getting their legs waxed for charity.

Miss Wise, who was clearly delighted with how well the day had gone, said: “On sponsorship alone, we have enough for the bench so we’re going to give the rest to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

Miss Wise said the support she had from both friends and family had helped enormously since the tragedy.

“We are coping as well as we can,” she said. “Ryan has settled into his new school really well.”

• Christopher Grady, who is in custody, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gabby and has also denied the attempted murder of Ryan.

His trial has been set for February 28 next year.