Family heartbroken after daughter's memorial bench is vandalised in Middlewich Cemetery

Middlewich schoolgirl Hollie Warwick had a rare chromosome disorder and died in April 2019.

The five-year-old astonished everyone with her determination, strength and resilience.

Her mum and dad were shocked to discover the special bench beside her grave in Middlewich Cemetery had been overturned and precious ornaments and mementoes scattered on the ground.

Hollie's parents were shocked to discover her memorial bench vandalised in Middlewich Cemetery

Hollie's parents were shocked to discover her memorial bench vandalised in Middlewich Cemetery

Mum-of-three Donna Hardy, 30, said: "This is the only place we can keep nice and pretty for our precious daughter and for someone to come along and try and ruin her special place is absolutely heartbreaking.

"Whoever is doing this please stop."

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 Hollie was born with a hole in her heart and underwent open heart surgery.

She attended Rainbows Day Nursery and was a pupil at Middlewich Primary School.

Dad Christopher Warwick, 32, said: "She was doing really well. Unfortunately I went to wake her up one morning and she had passed in her sleep."

A post mortem revealed that she had Hippocampal dysplasia.

This is the second time the bench has been damaged.

"It is absolutely disgusting and very disrespectful," said Christopher. "Someone has purposefully gone into the cemetery and pushed the bench over.

"We are quite upset. This is a special place to remember our little girl. How can anyone do this?"

Hollie's family placed the bench in the cemetery a few months after Hollie died.

"We have bolted it down now and hope it doesn't happen again," said Christopher. "I can't understand how anyone could stoop so low."

Teachers at Middlewich High School completed the epic Three Peaks Challenge to mark what would have been Hollie's sixth birthday.

Staff carried Hollie's teddy bear up and down the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours.

Middlewich Primary School teachers Vicky Williams, Alice Worden, Sean Allen and Simon Swift who completed the Three Peaks Challenge in memory of pupil Hollie Warwick

Middlewich Primary School teachers Vicky Williams, Alice Worden, Sean Allen and Simon Swift who completed the Three Peaks Challenge in memory of pupil Hollie Warwick

Their challenge raised £2,735 for Unique, a family support group for children with a rare chromosome disorder.

Headteacher Sandie LaPorta said: "Hollie was a very special little girl who brought so much to our school.

"She had a lot of challenges every day, difficulties with her legs and struggled with communication.

"She was a very determined little girl with a lovely personality. She put her best efforts into everything she did."