A fundraiser has been launched to help the family of Minnie Merriman ‘rebuild’ after their ‘unimaginable heartbreak’.

Close friend, Stevie Walker, said Minnie’s mum, Laurie and her family, have been ‘left with nothing’ in the wake of Minnie’s death last week.

Nine-year-old Minnie, a pupil at Hendal Primary School, died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after she was found seriously injured at Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath in the early hours of Monday, August 3.

Christopher Rice, from Wakefield, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court, where he faced a single charge of murder. Police earlier said he was known to Minnie.

A Gofundme page has been set up to support the family of Minnie Merriman who died in Scotland last week.

placeholder image — A Gofundme page has been set up to support the family of Minnie Merriman who died in Scotland last week.

He entered no pleas and was remanded in custody.

On Saturday, Arbroath FC paid a touching tribute in her memory by holding a minute’s silence before their Scottish Championship match against Caledonian Thistle.

The GoFundMe page has already raised more than £3,400 for Minnie’s family.

Stevie wrote: “It is difficult to even find the words to write this.

"As a close friend of Laurie and her family, I have set up this page on their behalf because right now they are facing something no mother, brothers or family should ever have to face.

Wakefield school devastated by death of 'caring and creative' Minnie Merriman

"Laurie has lost her precious girl, and her boys have lost their beautiful sister. Their whole world has been turned upside down overnight.

"Alongside the unimaginable heartbreak of losing Minnie, Laurie and the boys have also lost their home and everything they had.

"They have been left with nothing and are having to somehow find a way through each day while trying to rebuild some sort of stability for the boys.

Stevie went on to say: “Until Minnie can come home, the family face regular travel between Yorkshire and Scotland, as well as accommodation and everyday living costs. They also need to replace the basic things that most of us take for granted after losing their home and belongings.

"Those of us who love Laurie can’t take away her pain. We can’t change what has happened and we can’t make any of this right. But we can come together and try to ease some of the practical pressures that no grieving family should have to think about at a time like this."

Visit the fundraising page here.