A FUNDRAISER has been launched by islanders to make a memorial bench for murdered six-year-old Alesha MacPhail.
Isle of Bute residents have decided to raise funds in an effort to give the family, and residents a place to remember her.
Set-up by the Isle of Bute Resilience Team, the gofundme page has already raised more than £1,500 in one day, with a target of £2,300 being set.
The bench will be located close to the schoolgirl’s memorial garden, which is near the steps where she was found in Port Bannatyne last summer.
Speaking on their Facebook page, the Isle of Bute Resilience Team said they wanted to “remember her”.
They said: “We are wanting to raise funds to get a bench made to keep Alesha’ s memory going.
“There has been a wee memorial garden made by the locals, we would like bench to be near the garden so people can visit the area and remember her.
“Alesha won a teddy from our stall at the port Gala day a few weeks before hence the photo.
“We also assisted Police Scotland in the search for Alesha.
“The team would be honoured if we could reach this goal so her family and everyone can have a wee area we can visit and remember her wee happy face.
“Broken hearts across the world and here on our Island.”
So far 65 people have dipped into their pockets to help raise to help out.
Online users were also to quick to comment on the post.
Fiona Orr said : “I cannot imagine what Alesha’s family are going through and my heart goes out to them.
“To donate to this seems like the least anyone can do to make sure that this beautiful little girl is remembered and always has a home in a beautiful place that she should have been able to grow up in.
Russell Davies said: “I’ve never been more sickened in my entire life. Words can’t describe. I pray for those left behind.”
Eunice Stewart added: “We need to keep Alesha’s memory going, that poor wee soul, taken far too early, by a horrible monster. RIP little one.”
Alesha MacPhail’s body was found in Rothesay last July, less than three hours after she was reported missing from her grandparents’ home in Port Bannatyne.
Aaron Campbell, 16, was sentenced yesterday to a minimum of 27 years behind bars after finally admitting to the crime.
During the trial, Campbell repeatedly denied abducting, raping and killing Alesha.
The offences were admitted to a psychologist preparing a report ahead of his appearance.
