Latest news with #Hope'sDay
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Community pays tribute to tragic schoolgirl on her ‘final journey'
Mourners have lined the streets to bid farewell to a tragic six-year-old schoolgirl as she completed her 'final journey' in the company of her favourite cartoon characters. Hope Gordon was found dead alongside her 36-year-old father Mark at a house in West Calder on January 20. Police said they are treating her death as murder, while her father's death is not being treated as suspicious. On Monday – what Hope's bereaved family have called 'Hope's Day' – a private family service in Coop Funeralcare in Livingston was followed by a procession to the town's Adambrae Cemetery. Despite the chilly temperatures mourners turned out in force to line the roadside, some carrying flowers which they threw onto the horse-drawn hearse as it went past. Hope's coffin was decorated with characters from Paw Patrol, her favourite cartoon, and the hearse followed a car carrying a Paw Patrol floral tribute provided by her Auntie Tess. The ornate white hearse was pulled by two white horses, each draped in a white cloth and with blue and yellow feathers affixed to their heads in an evocation of the Paw Patrol colours. The hearse was followed by a close family friend dressed as Chase, a character from the animated series, with cars bearing members of Hope's family close behind. The procession was headed by a piper in full Highland dress, who piped the schoolgirl on what a social media post on behalf of her family described as 'Hope's final journey'. A poem that Hope's Auntie Tess wrote about her was included as part of the family service. A fundraising page launched by family friend Melanie Wheeldon to help cover the cost of Hope's Day raised more than £10,000 – more than five times its original £2,000 target. In a statement posted on the page, named 'in memory of Hope', Ms Wheeldon said: 'On January 20 2025, our hearts shattered as we learned of the tragic and senseless murder of six-year-old Hope. 'Hope was a vibrant and loving little girl, known for her infectious smile, kind spirit and deep love for animals. 'Hope's life was tragically cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of her family and friends that can never be filled.'
Sky News
10-02-2025
- Sky News
Community lines streets to say goodbye to murdered schoolgirl on her 'final journey'
Mourners lined the streets of a West Lothian town to bid farewell to murdered six-year-old Hope Gordon. The schoolgirl and her 36-year-old father, Mark Gordon, were found dead after emergency crews forced entry to a property in Harburn Drive, West Calder, last month. Police Scotland has launched a murder probe into her death, while Mr Gordon's death is not being treated as suspicious. On Monday, a private family service was held in Livingston before the youngster's coffin was taken by horse-drawn carriage through the town to Adambrae Cemetery. Mourners turned out in force for what the family called "Hope's Day", with flowers thrown towards the hearse as it travelled by. Hope's coffin was decorated with characters from Paw Patrol, her favourite cartoon, and the hearse followed a car carrying a Paw Patrol floral tribute provided by Toronto Primary School, where she had been a pupil. The ornate white hearse was pulled by two white horses, each draped in a white cloth and with blue and yellow feathers attached to their heads, a reference to the Paw Patrol colours. The carriage was followed by a close family friend dressed as Chase, a character from the animated series, with cars bearing members of Hope's family close behind. The procession was headed by a piper in full Highland dress, who piped the schoolgirl on what her family described as "Hope's final journey". A fundraiser launched by family friend Melanie Wheeldon to help cover the cost of Hope's Day raised more than £10,000 - more than five times its original £2,000 target. In a statement posted on the page, Ms Wheeldon said: "On 20 January 2025, our hearts shattered as we learned of the tragic and senseless murder of six-year-old Hope. "Hope was a vibrant and loving little girl, known for her infectious smile, kind spirit and deep love for animals. "Hope's life was tragically cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of her family and friends that can never be filled."
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Yahoo
Grieving West Lothian community expected to line streets for Hope's Day
A grieving West Lothian community is set to line the streets of Livingston on Monday for the 'final journey' of six-year-old Hope Gordon. The schoolgirl was found dead alongside her 36-year-old father Mark at a house in West Calder on January 20. Police said they are treating her death as murder, but that her father's is 'not being treated as suspicious'. A private family service is set to take place at Co-op Funeralcare on Howden South, on what Hope's family are calling 'Hope's Day'. They family has then called on the community to 'line the streets' leading to the town's Adambrae Cemetery as Hope passes by in a horse-drawn carriage. In a message posted on social media titled 'Hope's final journey', Co-op Funeralcare said: 'Hope will leave Co-op Funeralcare, Livingston, at approximately 12.45pm on Monday February 10 making her way to her final resting place. 'Hope's family would like to show their appreciation to the community for all their love, support and kindness since their tragic loss and ask those that are able to line the streets leading to Adambrae Cemetery as Hope passes by in her horse-drawn carriage.' A further message posted on Friday laid out the exact route to the cemetery. 'We will turn left out of the funeral home, continue up Almondvale East Road, turn right at the mini roundabout, along Dedridge East Road, continuing straight over the mini roundabout on to Dedridge West Road, left on to Dedridge North Road, over the roundabout in to Adambrae,' it read. They said they expected to arrive at Adambrae Cemetery at about 1.15pm. A fundraising page launched by close family friend Melanie Wheeldon to help cover the cost of Hope's Day has raised more than £10,000 – more than five times its original £2,000 target. In a statement posted on the page, Ms Wheeldon said: 'On January 20 2025, our hearts shattered as we learned of the tragic and senseless murder of six-year-old Hope. 'Hope was a vibrant and loving little girl, known for her infectious smile, kind spirit and deep love for animals. 'Hope's life was tragically cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of her family and friends that can never be filled.'
