An eight-year-old girl died suddnely last week after falling ill at school.

Zara Witherall, who was a Year 3 pupil at Bovingdon Primary Academy, fell ill last Wednesday.

She was taken by air ambulance and then to Great Ormond Street Hospital where she died of a brain aneurysm.

Her mother Rachel Witherall said: “She was my life, my world, my purpose.

Watford Observer:

"She was always making me laugh with the cheekiness. She was a happy, bubbly girl who was loved by everyone.

“I had the perfect life and then I got a phone call from school that Zara had collapsed and the ambulance was on its way. She was then air lifted to the Royal London Hospital then they rush her to Great Ormond Street.

“She sadly passed away. She had not had a fall or any previous medical conditions. I am totally heartbroken. The pain I am feeling is unbearable.

“The overwhelming support I have had from family, friends and strangers has given a little comfort knowing how much Zara was loved and how missed she is.”

Following Zara’s death the community decided to help the family and more than £7,000 has been raised to fund her funeral costs.

Bovingdon Primary Academy also paid their respects to Zara and her family with head teacher Shereen Breslin describing Zara as being a ‘bright and bubbly child’.

She said: “It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of one of our wonderful Year 3 pupils, Zara Witherall, who was taken ill at school on Wednesday afternoon.

“All of the children and staff have attended a special assembly followed by the opportunity to openly talk within their class, to their teacher and fellow pupils.

“We will continue to do everything possible to support the children and staff.

“Zara was a bright, bubbly child with a beautiful smile. She will be hugely missed by us all.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Zara’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

Bovingdon FC also paid their own respects with a minute’s silence ahead of their match with Letchworth Garden City Eagles on Saturday.

On Thursday, Dorothy Wilson, who owns Dorothy’s, in High Street, Bovingdon, will hold a coffee morning to raise money for Zara’s headstone and for the air ambulance.

Hundreds of prizes have been given for the raffle at Dorothy’s and she is offering free tea and coffee but donations are welcome. The raffle will continue until the end of January.

Zara’s funeral will take place on January 27 at St Lawrence Church in Bovingdon from 12pm.

To donate money to help cover the funeral costs, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kayleigh-howard-870?utm_id=106