Hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Boston, Lincolnshire this morning to pay tribute to Lilia Valutyte, 9, who was tragically stabbed to death earlier this year.
Lilia was attacked as she played with her little sister outside her mother’s embroidery shop on July 28.
Members of the community gathered for a procession through town as the nine-year-old’s coffin was transported to St Botolph’s Church by a white horse-drawn carriage.
The funeral cortege made its way through the town at about 11:30 BST for people to pay their respects before the service.
It made its way across Town Bridge, through Market Place, and along Church Street, before arriving at the 14th Century church for a public service followed by a private burial.
Lilia’s mother, Lina Savike, 35, could be seen fighting back tears as she followed the cortege into the church ahead of the service, accompanied by partner Aurelijus Savickas.
The small white coffin was adorned with brightly-coloured butterflies, and was carried by pallbearers wearing bright pink ties.
Speaking to the crowd of mourners, Reverend Jane Robertson said: ‘We have come here today to remember Lilia.
`We have come to give thanks for her life- her life that was taken so suddenly from her. I have met many, many people who have come into this place to express… how they feel about the tragic death of Lilia.’
The Rev Robertson told the congregation that the feeling of anger was ‘real and valid’, adding: ‘I can see there is such sadness and grief.’
She concluded the ceremony by telling mourners: ‘We will be changed forever because of that child.
‘Lilia, we are glad you were here. You have changed our lives – rest in peace, little one.’
Footage has shown the moment Lilia was attacked has emerged, showing the youngster playing with a hula hoop outside her mother’s shop along with her five-year-old sister.
Ten minutes later she was attacked in broad daylight by an assailant who quickly fled the scene.
Police officers could be seen rushing to the scene with first aid kits in a desperate attempt to revive her, but she was pronounced dead at Boston Pilgrim Hospital shortly after the incident.
Paying tribute to her daughter last month, Lina said: ‘Lilia was grown in that street, every week she spent down there playing, and it happened next to the window.
‘The memorial is a way for her to still be there, and we’re now fundraising to get it. It’s hard to know what to say.
‘She loved to dance, travel and try new things, and annoy her sister. She wanted to go to Italy, so we will probably go anyway next year.
‘There are so many things we could say, but we are not going to talk a lot about who she was and share those stories from our home; they are ours and we want to keep them for us.
‘You find yourself looking for her everywhere. We had four corners and now one is gone.’
Deividas Skebas, 22, of Thorold Street, Boston, has been charged with murder.
He is next due to appear in court on 19 September.
Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker described Lilia’s murder as ‘heartbreaking’ and said the case ‘has affected many people, in Boston and further afield’.
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