Mum pays tribute to 17-year-old with 'biggest heart'

Lainie Williams's mum said she wanted her daughter to be remembered

Pink balloons have been released in memory of 17-year-old Lainie Williams, who died a week ago, as her mother paid tribute to her "caring" daughter.

Rhian Stephens thanked the community for its support to the family as more than 250 people gathered in the centre of Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, Caerphilly county.

Ms Stephens, who was also seriously injured in the alleged attack on 13 November, said: "I want my baby to be remembered - I want everybody around the world to know the name Lainie Lea Louise Williams."

Cameron Cheng, 18, from Newbridge, has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place. A trial date has been set for May 2026.

Paying tribute to her daughter, Ms Stephens said: "Lainie Williams was a typical teenager. She loved every single one of her friends. She didn't have a nasty bone in her body.

"She was the littlest girl with the biggest heart in the world and she was caring, creative, funny.

"She loved her family, she used to come and kiss me every night and wrap her arms around me. She was so caring, she loved everybody - she had all the kindness in the world."

Ms Stephens said she was making a slow recovery after being seriously injured in the alleged attack.

"I've still got a while before I am better, but I've got the support of my family and my loved ones who've been amazing," she said.

Lainie Williams' mother Rhian Stephens was also seriously injured

Lainie's uncle, Adrian Stephens, 34, said the vigil meant "everything" to the family, saying she had an "artistic nature".

"You know, she's a sweet kid, artistic, intelligent. This would be something that she'd like to see, that sky pink tonight, it was lovely.

"Everyone's going to miss her terribly. I don't think there's any words for it really.

"We're all just numb at the minute. Everything is still fresh."

Asked to describe Lainie, he added: "She was just beautiful, kind.

"She was just artistic and her brain just worked in fantastic ways compared to anyone I'd ever met.

"She was just a rainbow, and that's all I can say about her really."

Ms Stephens described "the love and support" from the community of Cefn Fforest as "absolutely overwhelming"

Lainie's mother added that the community of Cefn Fforest had been "amazing".

"The love, the support, well wishes and emotion is absolutely overwhelming," she said.

"Every member through all of our communities, I can't possibly thank them enough.

"Even the people who just maybe read my posts, people raising money. I'm pretty sure every person out there is doing what they can to share their love with me and my family."

More than £12,500 has been collected through a fundraising website to help pay for Lainie's funeral and to give her "the beautiful send off she deserves".