A girl who has been described by family as "sweet and bright" tragically died after suddenly collapsing at her school.
Laila Dawood, 15, who regularly suffered from asthma and allergies died after collapsing at Derby Moor Academy, Littleover, Derby, on Friday, December 9. Her father, Mohammed Dawood, 46, said the incident has left him feeling empty, Derbyshire Live reports.
"She meant the whole world to us," Mr Dawood said. "She was a very, very sweet child and a respectful girl, whatever colour you were. She had a lot of friends from all different backgrounds.
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“She was intelligent and kind and sweet to everyone, a really bright girl. She was doing really well in her mock exams, she got the highest grade. She wanted to become a lawyer and study law.”
He went on to describe how he had a special way of knocking on doors - something his daughter always recognised before running towards the sound. "Every time I knocked on the door the way I knock on doors she would run and open the door, whatever she was doing, and hug me straight away.
“We have lots of memories from going on holidays and at home and wonderful family and friends too. Now when I come home it’s empty. I see a lot of people but I don’t see my daughter. I feel so empty.”
Laila’s mum, Aziza Dawood, 39, said: “She was my whole world. I struggle to read and write in English and she was my eyes and ears during doctor's appointments and shopping. She was my brain.
“She was my everything, my best friend. She was very intelligent and very bright. I don’t feel the day or night now. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m completely lost.”
A friend of the family, Showat Khan, told Derbyshire Live that flowers will be laid outside Laila's school at 11am on Monday, December 19. He said: "The family and friends are very upset and we stand together as a community."
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