Hundreds of mourners have celebrated the life of a 14-year-old girl who died during a school art trip following a minibus crash.
The funeral of ballet dancer Holly Brown, from Branston, was held today, Thursday, July 27, at St James’ Church, in Barton under Needwood, followed by a wake at The Waterfront, at Barton Marina, with tributes being paid to the “passionate, dedicated and hard-working” teenager.
Holly, who attended John Taylor High School, in Barton under Needwood, with her twin sister, Emma, died on Friday, July 7, following a collision involving her school minibus and a council bin lorry on the A38 in Birmingham.
Despite the school being closed for the summer holidays, the gates were opened to allow mourners to park for the funeral.
Her family asked for donation’s in Holly’s memory for Footprints Orphanage, in Kenya, founded by Stretton woman Kerry Watson, in 2010, and who the family has previously supported.
A tribute from Holly’s family was posted on Funeralzone and said the youngster grabbed every opportunity, excelling while at school and even achieved her dream of dancing with the Birmingham Royal Ballet and was rehearsing with the Midlands Theatre Ballet at the time of her death.
The tribute said: “Holly lived life to the full, grabbing every opportunity that was presented to her, displaying so much passion, dedication, hard work and compassion to others. She excelled while at school, both at Rykneld Primary and at John Taylor High School. Not only did they nurture her enthusiasm, they gave her a thirst for learning and succeeding, that she carried forward in everything she did.
“Holly was also very active and sporty. She enjoyed the outdoors (skiing, climbing, surfing and biking) and the indoors (karate, swimming and ballet), and most recently was working towards her bronze Duke of Edinburgh award.
“Out of all these interests and activities, ballet became her greatest passion. From the early years at the local ballet school, going through the grades and early productions in the local theatre, she progressed onto dancing in regional theatres with the English Youth Ballet and earlier this year achieved her dream of dancing with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. She was currently rehearsing with the Midlands Theatre Ballet for a production next year.
“Along with her drive to succeed in life, she also had time for others. Whether it was school friends who needed help with homework or younger dancers whom she would assist in class. She always had time to care for those that needed it and would help in any way she could.
“Holly touched a lot of people, not only with what she did, but how she did it. We will all miss her deeply and she has left a big void in our lives.
“We would like to support the Footprints Orphanage in Kenya. Footprints is a local charity that we, as a family, have supported over the years. Holly danced to the Footprints song in one of the ballet productions and we would like to continue to support the incredible work that they do.”
More details are available by visiting www.footprintsorphanage.com
