Casey-Lyanne Kearney Murder: Community Fundraiser For Dead Teen

'Devastated': Community Unites For Family Of Murdered Teen Casey-Lyanne Kearney

A "devastated" community united today to raise money for the family of murdered 13 year-old girl Casey-Lyanne Kearney.

The teenager was stabbed in Elmfield Park, Doncaster, on Valentine's Day after dialling 999 for help. She was found lying injured and died in hospital.

Today, more than 200 people took part in two charity walks and a concert to raise money for Casey-Lyanne's family to cover funeral costs.

Britain's Got Talent finalists 2 Grand performed at a packed benefit gig in Rossington, where Casey-Lyanne lived.

The singing duo played to an emotional crowd at the Styrrup pub before a 12-mile charity walk to and from the park where Casey-Lyanne was killed.

Walkers could be seen carrying pink balloons with "RIP Casey" written on them.

Julie Bush, landlady at the Styrrup, said she knew Casey-Lyanne's family personally and felt like she needed to do something to bring the village together.

She said: "It's such a sad thing that's happened. It's total devastation in the village and we need to make sure everyone's thinking about them (the family), they really do need it.

"It's total devastation, everybody's hanging on to their kids and making sure they're all right. It's something you don't expect to happen."

Sallie Lax, 15, one half of 2 Grand, went to the same school as Casey-Lyanne. She said she and her grandfather, the other half of the group, sang the song Unforgettable in memory of the murdered teenager.

Sallie said: "I didn't know her (Casey-Lyanne) personally but I saw her around school.

"We've had a lot of people from our school earlier in the year die as well in car crashes and stuff so for our school to lose another person it's hard, but everyone joins together in a community and helps each other out."

Sharleene Finn, 30, one of the event organisers, said: "It's very important, especially with what's happened, to get people back together and make sure we do right for the family.

"Everyone's heartbroken but the community has come together really, really well.

"I can't believe the amount people have donated and the amount of stuff that people have done."

She said donations can be made online and urged people to search for the charity appeal on Google.

Casey-Lyanne had left her home at around midday on Tuesday, February 14 and caught the bus to Doncaster town centre, where she intended to meet a friend.

She called the police and a passer-by phoned for an ambulance.

Hannah Bonser, 26, has been charged with her murder and possession of two knives.

Bonser, of Cusworth House, Doncaster, will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on May 10 for a plea and case management hearing, with a provisional trial date set for July 2.

She has been remanded in custody.

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