'A new playground will be built in our daughter's memory'

Elemie Wainwright died after she was hit by a van on 12 June

The family of an 11-year-old girl who died after being hit by a van have raised more than £50,000 for a new playground in her memory.

Elemie Rose Wainwright was struck by a white Ford Transit on 12 June in Mosborough, Sheffield, a month before her 12th birthday.

The playground at Plumbley Hall Road Park was one of Elemie's favourite places and her mother Jodie Wainwright hopes the new play equipment will create a special place for local children and the wider community.

She said: "I don't want anyone to ever forget her and the playground will be a permanent legacy for Elemie."

Mrs Wainwright took both her daughters to Plumbley Park every day after school and it was one of the places where Elemie practiced gymnastics and dancing.

But the play equipment is now old and has been deemed too dangerous for children to use by Sheffield City Council.

"The park definitely needs a revamp," said Mrs Wainwright, 39.

Following Elemie's death, a fundraising page and community donations have reached £55,000 in just six weeks - more than halfway to the goal of £100,000.

Other upcoming events organised by the Wainwrights' friends and family include a charity football match, a family fun day and a ball with an auction.

Mrs Wainwright said the interest and support had been "overwhelming".

"There are people that I have never even met who are donating prizes and offering to run stalls - they're all doing it for Elemie off their own bat.

"It's things like that that are pulling us along," she added.

Mrs Wainwright said she and Elemie's father Anthony decided on Plumbley Hall Road Park as a project during one of their many walks following their daughter's death.

Elemie Rose Wainwright loved spending time at Plumbley Hall Road Park

She said: "Since we lost Elemie, the silence in the house is deafening.

"We don't want to spend time here as much so we have been getting out, walking sometimes five hours a day - it's therapeutic.

"Elemie loved nature and was so active - so this made sense."

The money raised will go towards new equipment including a climbing frame with Elemie's name on it, and will also be a "lovely place" for Elemie's friends to spend time, as well as her older sister, Jersie, 16.

The aim is to have the playground ready for March 2026 and the Wainwrights have been working with the charity Friends of Plumbley Park to make it happen.

Elemie with her mother Jodie, father Anthony and sister Jersie, 16

A council spokesperson said: "We are committed to supporting the community's vision and are doing everything we can to help progress the plans so that the new playground can be ready by Easter next year.

"This initiative is a powerful example of how communities can come together in the face of tragedy to create something lasting and positive."

After Elemie's death, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and traffic offences and released on police bail after fully co-operating with officers.

Mrs Wainwright said: "'We are so heartbroken, we miss her every second of every day.

"But the park has always been a happy place for our family."

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