Fundraiser for girl, 5, believed to have drowned

A fundraiser set up in memory of a five-year-old girl who died after being pulled from water in a Worcestershire village is close to topping £7,000.

Emergency services were called to Badsey on Wednesday after reports the girl, known locally as Letti, was missing.

She had been found unresponsive in the body of water and pronounced dead at the scene.

West Mercia Police said they believed she had drowned and confirmed there was no third‑party involvement in her death.

In a message posted on a GoFundMe page, which has an £8,000 target, Letti's family said they were "completely heartbroken, devastated, and still in shock".

They thanked residents who helped search for Letti, writing that the kindness shown by the people of Badsey had "restored [their] faith in humanity".

The family said the idea for a fundraiser came from one of those who helped in the search, describing it as "a beautiful and thoughtful idea that means so much to us".

Donations were not expected, they said, as the community's "love, prayers, and support" had already meant the world to them. Any contribution, they said, would help create "a special place to remember our precious girl".

The tragedy has left the village in shock. In a tribute shared on Facebook, Badsey Butchers said the community was "deeply saddened".

"There are simply no words that can ease a heartbreak like this, but we hope they know the entire village is thinking of them," they said

West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews, including in its critical care car, arrived at 18:50 BST.

Staff had worked quickly to treat Letti, but "nothing could be done to save" her.

Police have urged the public to avoid speculation online about the tragedy and to respect the family's privacy.

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