A fundraiser for the funeral of a toddler who died following a suspected assault has topped £7,100.

Money has flooded into to give two-year-old Maya Louise Chappell a special send off following her tragic death last Friday.

The youngster lost her fight for life at the RVI in Newcastle two days after an incident at her home in Shotton Colliery.

The Northern Echo: Maya Louise Chappell Maya Louise Chappell (Image: Maya in her onesie)

Read more: Heartbroken dad pays tribute as toddler injured in Shotton Colliery incident dies in hospital

Maya was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition and a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of assault with intent to cause serious harm.

He has since been bailed pending further inquiries and police have asked people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident while the inquiry is ongoing.

Wellwishers have left flowers, teddies, balloons and messages of support outside her home on Milton Grove in Shotton Colliery.

The Northern Echo: Maya Louise Chappell Maya Louise Chappell (Image: Family photographs)

A candlelit vigil is being held at Consett Football Club at 7.30pm on Friday, October 7.

Her family has requested that no balloons should be released on the night and said no teddies or tributes should left at the ground.

The Just Giving page was set up with the consent of Maya’s dad, James Chapell, from Consett, by Rachael Walls.

She said: “The family would love to be able to give Maya the send-off to heaven that such a special little girl like her deserves.

“We would be very grateful for any contribution big or small towards her funeral costs.

“We want to make her day as amazing as she was.”

To donate click here

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