The team at our youth club have know Rosie for around 5 years, almost a third of her short life. There are a few youngsters who have been through that club that we will remember for all sorts of negative reasons. Most of those who come to the club enjoy it, take part and belong to that community and can be recalled when we read their names in old records. Some stand out clearly in our memories because of the fun and joy and friendship that they have brought to us. Happily there are quite a few like that, and Rosie is there in the front rank of them. We have laughed with her jokes and stories, we have grimaced and applauded as she sang in the talent show, we have watched her style and choice of clothes develop, often in very individual ways, we have stood by her when people were unkind and seen her support friends who were upset. In all this we saw Rosie, a very strong character, unbowed by peer pressure but well liked by friends. We saw Rosie always busy, talking, laughing but finding time to help tidy up, listen and share - to be a friend to us all.

Some would say this was no ordinary girl. Yes she was, but often, she was showing us what an ordinary human being should be like.