Mother of tragic Katie Rough in funds plea to home city of Leeds

Katie Rough, from York, died in January after being attacked by a teenage girl who smothered her and slashed at her body with a Stanley knife.

Her attacker, who was suffering from delusional beliefs about people around her not being human, admitted manslaughter and will be sentenced later this month.

Katie’s mother, Alison, who is originally from Seacroft, Leeds, and other family members want to raise £3,000 for the charity Compassion UK to help pay for a Ugandan girl, Pross, to get through school.

So far raised £1,255 has been raised, which will pay for Pross’s education for 10 years. Two other UK charities, Get Kids Going and Children North East, will also benefit.

Alison Rough said: “We decided we’d like to make a real difference in the life of a young girl, a similar age at the start of her life. Knowing that Katie is the reason we will change her life for the better is helping us remember Katie in a powerful way.

“Being from Seacroft, it would be amazing if people in and around Leeds could show their support. Even £1 donation would be great.

“If readers could start collecting their loose change that would be amazing, any donations on the Compassion website would be massively appreciated. If any schools could collect coins, bake cakes or hold a non-uniform day it would make a massive difference.

“Although Katie is no longer physically with us, she is still changing lives and touching hearts. We’ll never know just how much difference she’ll make, but we are so very proud to call her our daughter.”

Uganda was chosen as it is the home country of the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, who has supported the family since January.

Click on this link to donate.