Hundreds pay their respects at funeral of Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Mourners were wearing a 'splash of pink' on the request of Olivia's family
Last updated 15th Sep 2022
Hundreds of people gathered today for the for the funeral of Olivia Pratt-Korbel at Saint Mary Margaret's church in Dovecot.
The 9-year-old was shot in her own home last month.
Mourners were seen lining the streets today as the little girls coffin arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage.
A hearse with floral tributes saying "daughter" and "Liv" was also seen arriving at the church.
Many people there wore pink ribbons after the family ask people wear a 'splash of pink' in memory of Olivia.
Olivia's mum spoke at the funeral
In a eulogy, Cheryl Korbel described Olivia had been born six weeks early and spent nine days in a special baby unit:
She told people at the funeral: "She was so small yet even as a new-born she had her own mind of her own.
"Although she loved sparkle and glitz she would never go overboard and she was very particular, even down to her socks.
"Olivia was very chatty and bubbly and would talk for England, to the point we thought she had Duracell batteries inside her somewhere.
"Olivia loved to sing and dance. She'd always be singing along to songs she enjoyed, especially when we would be driving in the car and she would always be in charge of the CD player.
"Olivia knew exactly how to wrap people around her little finger to get what she wanted, especially her brother Ryan and sister Chloe.
"She would often give them a cheeky smile and they would give in instantly.
"She would have made a great lawyer as she had an answer for everything."
Olivia's school mourned in their own way today
Pupils at Olivia's school are also wearing pink today, according to their headteacher Rebecca Wilkinson, despite not being at the church service.
The headteacher said: "We were mindful of the fact that the children had to take some sort of role today, in spite of the fact that they're not going to the church.
"The wishes of the family in church were that everyone wear a splash of pink so today in school the children are all wearing a splash of pink.
"We have got pink hearts in the windows facing the main road, we have got pink ribbons on the fence."
"One of the amazing memories that the class teacher and children shared was one day Olivia came to school wearing pink nail varnish and she spent the whole day hiding her hands so that I wouldn't see the fact she was wearing pink nail varnish!
"So for that reason, as well as a splash of pink, we have said that the children can wear pink nail varnish today if they so wish."
Each of the 480 pupils at the school will be creating a flower which will form part of a memorial for Olivia.
Police are still appealing for information
Police are continuing to hunt for the gunman who chased a convicted burglar into Olivia's family home at about 10pm on August 22.
On Wednesday, Lord Ashcroft announced he is offering a £50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for her death.
So far Merseyside Police have arrested nine men as part of their investigation into her death, all of which have since been bailed.
Merseyside Police have urged anyone with potentially relevant information to submit it directly to their investigation team through an online portal.
Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.