A pink-themed funeral is to be held for transgender teenager Brianna Ghey.
The 16-year-old, from Birchwood, Warrington, was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park on the afternoon of Saturday February 11.
Cheshire Pride and the Go Fund Me page for Brianna’s family have both released details ahead of her funeral on March 15.
Cheshire Pride posted on its Facebook page that members of the public are welcome to attend and that large crowds are expected, with people encouraged to wear the colour pink.
A Go Fund Me page set up with the aim of raising £4,216 for Brianna’s family has now raised more than £113,000.
Victoria and Jacob Potter, who set up the fundraiser, posted on the page: “We would like to help the Ghey family who has had their beautiful daughter cruelly taken from them in the most shocking and heartbreaking way.
“Brianna was an outgoing, confident girl. She brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her.
“She was looking forward to taking her exams this year and beginning her journey into the adult world.
“We have set up this page to help the family at this truly devastating time.
“We need your support to help them with funeral costs (we want to make this pink and colourful to match her personality) and ask if you can spare anything no matter how small to try to relieve their stress and allow them to grieve their beautiful daughter.
“Thank you for your support.”
After Brianna’s death thousands of people attended candlelit vigils across the country.
In a tribute issued on behalf of her family, they said the teenager was a “much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister”.
The statement continued: “She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her.”
A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been charged with Brianna’s murder and are due to go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on July 10.
Neither accused can be named because of their age.
At a brief two-minute hearing at Warrington Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, opened and adjourned the inquest into Brianna’s death until after the trial, and set a date for a pre-inquest hearing on August 17.
Detective Inspector Nigel Parr, senior investigating officer for the incident for Cheshire Police, said: “The investigation is a murder investigation and two individuals have been charged with the murder of Brianna.”
He confirmed the teenager was found “unresponsive” in the park by members of the public and that paramedics attended and confirmed the date of death.
Brianna’s identity was confirmed by her mother, Esther, the hearing was told.
No family members were present at the hearing.
– Brianna’s funeral will begin at 2.45pm at St Elphin’s Church in Warrington on Wednesday March 15.
