The fundraiser for a 15-year-old girl who died in a lake tragedy has passed its target.
Teenager Erin died after getting into difficulty in water in Carr Mill Dam, St Helens on Thursday, June 1. Emergency services, including Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance Service were called at around 12.30pm.
Officers entered the water in a bid to find the 15-year-old who had been swimming with friends when she got into difficulty, but despite the best efforts, the teenager died.
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Erin's mum, Kirsty Madden, paid tribute to her daughter who she said was "capable of anything" and had her "whole life ahead of her" before her death in an emotional tribute. The mum shared her heartache on the St Helens Borough Council Facebook page, after the local authority warned people of the dangers of swimming in open water following Erin's death at Carr Mill Dam yesterday.
In a comment on the council's page, she said: "This dam needs draining my daughter lost her life in there yesterday. How many more times does this need to keep happening to children until something is done.
"My girl had her whole life ahead of her she was capable of anything and it's all been ripped away. We are all devastated beyond words and my life will never be the same again. I love you Erin with my heart and soul forever and always."
A GoFundMe page was also set up in memory of Erin and to help her family. The page shared pictures of Erin and was set up by Toni Ward, who posted that she was a friend of the family and described Erin as "a beautiful soul."
She said: "My friend and her family lost their beautiful daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend due to a tragic accident that should never have happened. She had the rest of her life to look forward to she was a beautiful soul inside and out she be gone but never forgotten."
The fundraising page's original target was £3,000, but it has now reached £3,231 as of 3pm Saturday, June 3.
Merseyside Police Chief Inspector for St Helens Paul Holden said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that the body of the teenage girl has been recovered from the water. Our sincere condolences go to her family and friends during this tragic time.
"I would appeal to anyone who was visiting Carr Mill Dam at around midday onwards to please get in touch so we can ascertain what happened and provide her family with answers."
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