HUNDREDS of mourners paid tribute to a "beautiful" toddler with pink balloons yesterday following her sudden death.
Heartbroken mum Stacy-marie Nicklin was among well-wishers who gathered in memory of little Harper-Lee, two, who passed away on Sunday.
During the emotional event in Abbey Hulton, Staffordshire, pink balloons were released into the sky.
And those attending dressed in pink and white – Harper-Lee's favourite colours, StokeonTrentLive reports.
A prayer was read out followed by the song How Far I'll Go from the soundtrack of the film Moana.
Those at the event hugged and shouted tributes to the tot before erupting into a round of applause as the balloons filled the sky.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the costs of Harper-Lee's funeral.
So far, almost £5,000 has been raised.
The fundraiser reads: "Please help us raise as much as we can to give our precious baba the send off she deserves.
"Harper-Lee was only two years old and was suddenly taken away from her beautiful mummy and sisters."
A local fast food restaurant is helping with fundraising efforts and is even providing food for Harper-Lee's devastated family.
Sizzlers Fast Food owner Arfan Mohammed said: "We are surrounded by an amazing community and everyone is deeply saddened by the loss of Harper-Lee.
"As a community we are all getting together to try and raise money for the family to cover the costs for funeral, flowers and other expenses, as well as trying to give Harper-Lee a good send off.
"You don't prepare for funerals when you've got a kid that's two or three years old. Stacy's in bits as you can imagine.
'NEVER FORGOTTEN'
"The whole community in Abbey Hulton is in bits. We're in shock.
"At the same time we want to help and support Harper-Lee's grandmother Paula and Stacy with all the costs.
"We're looking to try and raise more money. We'll also be providing food every night for the family."
Paying tribute to the two-year-old, one friend said: "Rest in peace our sassy little friend. You will be truly missed by us all, you will never be forgotten, always in our hearts forever. Love you always."
Another said: "Rest in paradise beautiful girl, night god bless baba, all my love."
And one well-wisher wrote: "Fly high beautiful baby girl. Thinking of Stacey and her family and Hannah and family. This little girl touched so many hearts, so heartbreaking, shine bright baby girl in paradise."
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