The Ava White Foundation has sent a message of support to Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family on the day of the nine-year-old's funeral.
The Foundation, set up following the murder of Ava, 12, sent the message on the morning of Olivia's funeral today. Nine-year-old Olivia was shot in her home by a gunman chasing convicted criminal Joseph Nee.
Olivia was hit in the chest by a bullet that also injured her mum Cheryl Korbel, 46. The schoolgirl died of her injuries at nearby Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Nine arrests have been made in connection with her murder but no one has been charged as yet.
READ MORE: Olivia Pratt-Korbel's funeral service as murdered nine-year-old laid to rest
The Ava White Foundation sent the touching message ahead of the funeral, taking place at St Margaret Mary’s Church. The statement, put out on the foundation's Facebook, said: "Sending love and strength to Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family and friends today on the day of her funeral.
"Our thoughts are with yous all always. Rest in peace Olivia. Forever 9."
The funeral will take place in the church next door to Olivia's school, St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School. The service is due to begin at 11am and will be followed by a private burial and wake.
Mourners have been asked to wear a splash of pink in her memory. Her classmates will not have to attend the service but will remember their much-loved friend in other ways, including saying prayers, painting their nails pink and watching her favourite film; an adaptation of Roald Dahl classic 'Matilda'.
In an emotional video shared via Merseyside Police, mum Cheryl spoke of her pain and urged those responsible to come forward. She said: "Everyone that she met, they all fell in love with her. She left a mark on everyone that she met and she may well have only been nine but she packed a lot into those nine years."
Her dad, John Francis Pratt, also shared a statement saying: "Words can’t express the pain we are going through after Olivia was so cruelly snatched away from us. Those responsible need to know what they have done."
You can follow live updates of Olivia's funeral here.
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