By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 08:50, Monday, 10 December 2012

A fund has been launched to help the two-year-old daughter of tragic Mica Atkinson.

Happy times: Mica Atkinson with daughter Lilly

Carly Fletcher, a close friend of the family of 22-year-old Mica who died on November 27, has set up Beautiful Little Lilly’s Fund, to support the young mum’s daughter and give her “the best start in life”.

Ms Fletcher said that it is Lilly who is keeping Mica’s family and friends sane, as they try to come to terms with their loss.

The community is also rallying round Mica’s family who have had an overwhelming 200 visitors at their home to pay their respects.

This followed a recent tribute in the News & Star, in which her mum Nicki Huddart said close family and friends were welcome to visit and share memories.

Ms Fletcher, from Mirehouse, Whitehaven, knew Mica all her life and is best friends with her mum, Nicki.

Because of the loss of Mica, she said it seemed right to raise money for Lilly, as she is the one keeping the family going.

“Lilly’s the one who’s keeping everyone sane,” said the 33-year-old.

“The fund is a little start for Lilly – we just want to give her the best start in life.

“She meant the world to Mica. All Mica ever wanted to be was a mummy.

“Lilly knows that her mummy’s not there but nobody has said anything to her about it, so she’s unaware of what has happened.”

Yesterday saw the first of many fundraisers for Lilly’s cause when a Christmas Fair took place at Whitehaven’s Marchon Club.

Stallholders and town businesses donated prizes for a raffle.

Ms Fletcher said that the support of well-wishers is helping Mica’s family and friends deal with their grief.

She knows first-hand how Mica’s family are suffering, as she was with Mica’s mum when she received a phone call to tell her about her daughter’s death.

“I’m pleased I was there,” she said. “I could take her round and support her. I was in two minds whether to do the fundraiser for Lilly as everybody is still so raw, but when I showed Nicki what I had planned, she loved it.

“Mica was beautiful inside and out. It’s touching the amount of people that have been to see Nicki since it happened – the support is unreal. And so many people are bringing flowers.”

Ms Fletcher has been organising the Christmas Fair for the past two months and said the support she has received is overwhelming.

“Everyone has really pulled together,” she said. “All the stallholders have donated something for the raffle.”

Anybody who wants to donate to Beautiful Little Lilly’s Fund, can do so through Paypal by transferring money into Ms Fletcher’s account, cmjo666@aol.com

And people wanting to organise other events for Lilly, can contact Ms Fletcher on cmjo666@aol.com

The circumstances leading to Miss Atkinson’s death are still being investigated. A 25-year-old man from Whitehaven arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has been released on bail until January.

First published at 08:45, Monday, 10 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk