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Funeral held for abandoned baby girl found in Oxford | Funeral held for abandoned baby girl found in Oxford |
(35 minutes later) | |
An open funeral is being held for an unknown baby girl found abandoned in Oxford. | An open funeral is being held for an unknown baby girl found abandoned in Oxford. |
The stillborn infant was discovered on a footpath in February. Thames Valley Police failed to identify her family despite appeals. | The stillborn infant was discovered on a footpath in February. Thames Valley Police failed to identify her family despite appeals. |
The funeral at Wolvercote Cemetery, organised by Oxford City Council, has attracted dozens of mourners, some of whom travelled from London. | The funeral at Wolvercote Cemetery, organised by Oxford City Council, has attracted dozens of mourners, some of whom travelled from London. |
Police named the baby 'Raihana', meaning 'heaven's flower'. | Police named the baby 'Raihana', meaning 'heaven's flower'. |
Suzi Horsley, 33, from Oxford, lost four babies during pregnancy, but went on to successfully give birth to three. | |
She said: "I felt quite strongly that she should be mourned, and that her mother should be supported as well. | |
"I hope she sees the coverage of today and sees that there is a network of mothers who understand her loss and understand that pain." | |
One woman, who travelled from London but did not want to be named, said: "Everyone should have someone to say goodbye. | |
"Nobody should have their life ended with nobody there. This poor child was born alone, and left alone." | |
'Dignified funeral' | 'Dignified funeral' |
Det Insp Jim Holmes said he had initially feared that no one would turn up to the funeral, but that people had travelled from across the country. | |
He said: "We have been inundated with responses. This has touched the hearts and minds of this community and across the country." | He said: "We have been inundated with responses. This has touched the hearts and minds of this community and across the country." |
Det Insp Holmes added that Thames Valley Police would continue to search for the baby's mother. | Det Insp Holmes added that Thames Valley Police would continue to search for the baby's mother. |
The Sands charity has so far raised £2,364 for families affected by baby loss after a Just Giving page was set up called Remembering Baby Raihana. | |
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth said: "Everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances, is entitled to a dignified funeral. | Councillor Alex Hollingsworth said: "Everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances, is entitled to a dignified funeral. |
"In tragic cases like this, the council ensures that this responsibility is taken care of." | "In tragic cases like this, the council ensures that this responsibility is taken care of." |