The fundraiser to support the grieving family of Olivia Pratt-Korbel has raised nearly £26,000.
The fundraiser set up the day following the shooting of the nine-year-old school girl has continued to gain support with donations totalling just shy of £26,000. Olivia was shot dead by a stray bullet in her own home from a gunman chasing convicted criminal Joseph Nee.
The schoolgirl was hit in the chest with the same bullet that injured her mum Cheryl on Monday, August 22 on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot. She was rushed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where she later died. The gunman chasing 35-year-old Nee, shooting him twice, remains at large.
READ MORE: Family pay tribute to 'nine going on 19' Olivia Pratt-Korbel
The fundraiser was launched to help Olivia's family through the ordeal and to give her the send off she deserves. The fundraiser, organised by Steven McCracken with the family's permission, was started the day after the shooting. The description said: "We are raising funds to help the family with this tragic loss. We can't imagine the pain they're all going through and want to help in any way we can. Let's give this little angel the send off she deserves."
Olivia's family paid tribute to the "unique" little girl in a public statement yesterday, August 25. They said: "Liv was a unique, chatty, nosey little girl who broke the mould when she was born. She loved life and all it had to offer. Liv loved dressing up and was very particular on how she was dressed, like any other little girl she loved doing her makeup and nails. She was nine going on 19.
“Liv was adored by everyone who knew her and would instantly make friends with anyone and everyone. She was often seen going up and down the street on her new bike she had just got for her birthday. Although her life was short, her personality certainly wasn’t and she lived it to the most she could, and would blow people away with her wit and kindness."
The family also urged anyone with any information on Olivia's killer to come forward. Senior officers at Merseyside Police confirmed a "number of names have been provided" for the killer and work is ongoing to investigate each of those leads.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Green and Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen told the media in a press conference that a second man, who was walking with Nee when the gunman opened fire, has also been identified.
Olivia's family added: “We as a family are heartbroken and have lost a huge part of our life. If anyone knows anything, now is the time to speak up. It is not about being a “snitch” or a “grass” it is about finding out who took our baby away from us. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.
“We as a family are eternally grateful for the help and support we have received from people across the world. We are also thankful to Merseyside police for the outstanding work and to the staff at Alder Hey and Aintree hospitals.”
Anyone with information, footage or images is asked to contact police via the following link Public Portal ( mipp.police.uk ), @MerPolCC or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with reference 22000621566.
Second target in Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder identified by police
Flowers and teddies left for 'Sassy Queen' Olivia Pratt-Korbel
CCTV of car seen in road minutes before Ashley Dale was shot dead
'Kirkby legend' stabbed to death while 'trying to do the right thing'
