Loving friend sets up fundraising page for daughters of Leanne Collopy who died after being found with multiple stab wounds

Rebecca Corrie said the money will also go towards the funeral of 25-year-old Leanne Collopy, who died four days after being found with the fatal injuries following a house fire in her home in Loveclough on July 30.

Miss Collopy’s 23-month-old daughter Leila, who was also found in the home, remains in hospital with serious burns. Miss Collopy’s four-year-old daughter, Lola, was staying with family at the time.

A 39-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the fire, also remains in hospital.

Miss Corrie, a mother-of-two who described Miss Collopy as ‘loving and devoted to her children’ initially only aimed to raise £1,000 but within 48 hours of setting up the page the total had reached more than £3,000.

Now she is determined to raise as much money as possible to support Miss Collopy’s family.

Miss Corrie, 25, said: “We were friends since high school. After she died I felt a bit useless. I knew there were a lot of people feeling the same way but there was not really much we could do. It’s a way of people being able to show their support, not just for Leanne but for her two daughters too.

“Leanne was really hardworking. Everything she did was for her two little girls. She was a great mum. The best that she could be. She was always laughing and joking. But if you ever needed anything she was the first one you would go to. She was so loving and caring.”

Miss Corrie said she was considering doing fundraising events later in the year for her friend, who was the eldest of three sisters and two step-brothers.

She added: “We just want to raise as much money as possible to help the family out. One of my other close friends has been ringing around companies and has managed to get tickets to play areas and day trips so when Leila comes out of hospital she has things she can enjoy.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leanne-collopy.