A POIGNANT ceremony took place in a quiet corner of a city garden, when a bench was unveiled in memory of schoolgirl Katie Rough.

Friends and family of the seven-year-old, who was found fatally injured in the Woodthorpe area of York in January this year, gathered in the city’s Museum Gardens for the blessing of the memorial bench.

Katie was found with fatal knife wounds, and a 15-year-old girl is due to go on trial for her murder next month.

The Northern Echo: GIFT: Alison Rough with Mayre Maquine of the York Glaziers Trust. A stained glass panel was presented to Alison in memory of her seven-year-old daughter. Picture: FRANK DWYER

GIFT: Alison Rough with Mayre Maquine of the York Glaziers Trust. A stained glass panel was presented to Alison in memory of her seven-year-old daughter. Picture: FRANK DWYER

The bench was inscribed with the words: “Katie Sharon Rough loved feeding the squirrels and birds. 2009/2017” and was placed in the botanic gardens where Katie had enjoyed watching the wildlife and rolling down the grassy banks.

The Reverend Matthew Porter, of the nearby St Michael le Belfrey Church, asked the family to lay their hands on the bench while he said a prayer: “In these Museum Gardens where Katie loved to be, with the animals and nature and outdoors, we come to give thanks for her and to dedicate this bench to her memory.

“We thank God for Katie’s life, cut short as it was, and we are grateful for this bench, given for us to remember her.”

Her mother, Alison said: “Thank you so much for all the support we have had from the community, but especially our families, Katie’s grandparents,” she said.

“We couldn’t have picked a better spot for Katie’s bench. She loved feeding the squirrels…she loved rolling down the hills.

"But she also liked to be peaceful sometimes and this is a peaceful place, and every time we come here we will think just how perfect it is for her and how fitting a tribute it is.”

Katie’s family were also presented with a stained glass window featuring a squirrel, rainbow, butterflies and dandelion clock seeds, reflecting Katie’s love of wildlife and nature.

The artwork was created by Mayre Maguine of the York Glaziers Trust, assisted by Monika Adamczak. It was inscribed with the words; “A small life walked by leaving footprints in our hearts forever. Katie, this is no perfect world but you gave it a little bit more colour.”

Alison Rough said she would find a special place in her home to hang the artwork.

Katie Rough’s family and friends are due to take part in the Great North Run later this year to raise money for girls in Uganda, to help them achieve a safe and stable life and education.

Calling themselves #TeamRough, they will take part in what is the world’s biggest half marathon on September 10 through Newcastle and Gateshead. They choose the charity as a thank you to the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who has supported the family since Katie was killed. Dr Sentamu is from Uganda and supports the cause.