The parents of a 12-year-old girl who was brutally attacked on her way home from Charles Dickens School on Thursday (November 29) say support from the community and stars via social media has given her strength.
Evee-anne Cooper was repeatedly punched in the face and kicked in the head while she lay on the floor during the attack by a teenage girl.
The vile assault at Arlington Gardens in Dane Valley was filmed by onlookers and posted to social media where it was shared hundreds of times to the disgust of the young victim’s parents.
Three teenagers, aged 13,14 and 15, were arrested in connection with the incident. They have since been released on bail.
Following the release of the sickening footage on social media a swell of support has been shown for Evee-anne and her family, including twitter posts from stars, such as boxer Ricky Hatton, who were disgusted by the attack.
A fundraiser set up by residents Kyle Barber and Jay Holloway for the family has bust through its £500 target and now stands at an astonishing £4050.
Evee-anne’s dad Paul said: “Us as parents, Amanda and myself, would like to thank the community for the support they’ve given Evee-anne. She has been strong inside but only because of how much support she’s had from family, friends and strangers.
“A big shout to Kyle and Jay for setting up the gofundme page for Evee-Anne, this will mean she can carry on with life. Also thanks to celebs like Daniella Westbrook, Ricky Hatton, Hugh Grant, Talia Dean, Ian Wright and Anthony Middleton and Will Mellor for their show of support.
“One other thing I will say is, don’t spend your life looking at your feet, keep your chin up and look at the stars, just like Evee-anne does.”
Evee-anne’s uncle Ben Cooper, who runs the New Thanet Chat facebook group, has also voiced his thanks and adds that justice must now be served.
He said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the people of Thanet for such a huge show of support. All the members of the New Thanet Chat community have been amazing also from the very start.
“ I believe that the whole of Thanet wants justice not just because of the severity of this but also because this isn’t something we want happening here. We want the courts to take in to consideration how dangerous this attack was and ensure the punishment fits the crime With attacks such as this there should be no leeway given.”
A show of support that was being arranged for outside Margate Police Station next Saturday (December 8) has been cancelled.
Any witnesses or anyone with information about the assault, who hasn’t yet been in touch, should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 29-1093.
