Parents of Charles Dickens schoolgirl who was victim of brutal attack thank community and stars for support

Evee-anne with fundraisers Kyle Barber and Jay Holloway

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.

The fundraiser page can be found here

5 Comments

  1. Please excuse my ignorance or stupidity – but I do not understand why this situation necessitated the setting up of yet another “Go Fund Me” page.

    Notwithstanding the fact that the young lady suffered an appalling attack, received injuries and has suffered an extremely unpleasant and traumatic experience at the hands (and feet) of a group of cowards and bullies, I do not understand the need for money “so that she can carry on with life”. Has she been left with permanent, disabling injuries that require care or equipment which is not provided by the NHS, Social Services or other such organisations ? (I see no mention of this in the article).

    Hopefully, the three older teenagers will receive some form of consequence that will cause them to regret their actions and see the error of their ways. I also hope that the three perpetrators were identified on the video of the attack (which I have not seen) so that all their friends, relatives and acquaintances know exactly who they are and they will be suitably shamed.

    It is yet another sad reflection upon society that witnesses and bystanders to the attack deemed it more important to video and publish the incident rather than stepping in and putting a stop to it. Those voyeurs should also be thoroughly ashamed of themselves as they are complicit in the injuries and suffering of the victim.

    • I would imagine the go fund me page is to help Eevee-Ann to get to and from school safely. To allow her parents time off of work to care for her.

      This kind of attack causes deep emotional scars. Maybe it’s for funding for counselling which no doubt she will need.

      If people want to donate then they can no-one is forcing anyone to. I think it’s lovely that so many people have donated and showed their support. That should at least go a little way towards healing.

    • I agree with John. Counselling will be available to her via NHS.which is free. This money won’t heal her mental scars. I am also a little confused. But I wish her all the luck and healing for her future.

  2. I think the girl deserves the money raised. Too many children take their lives at the hands of bullies and as the person above said it’s probably paying for her parents to have time off work to support her which is hard when your working to pay bills. Also it’s nice to have the money to treat the girl to boost her confidence and show her she has so much to enjoy in life. I’m so glad shes ok and I hope the ones responsible have a harsh punishment to stop them ever considering acting like this again.

  3. I was disccusted to learn that this girl was subjected to this level of violence by the animal who beat her so bad kicking her in the head when she was begging for this to stop!

    As a father of a daughter not much older I was very choked up when I found out. Is society this bad that people stand around and watch a girl take this kind of a beating! I hope all involved are swiftly punished for this appalling incident.

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