THE parents of a girl killed by a falling tree have told on the tenth anniversary of her death how a charity set up in her name has helped them to heal.
Rianna Davenport was just eight when she was killed by a Corsican pine tree which toppled over at West Ashtead Primary School on January 30, 2003.
Following her death, her parents Steve and Debbie Davenport set up Rianna's Fund to help some of the world's most vulnerable children, and have so far raised nearly £1 million in their daughter's honour, aiding projects in Kenya, Uganda and India.
"We set the trust up quite soon after she died," said Leatherhead resident Mrs Davenport.
"We had so many people offering their support and asking what they could do to help, and we thought it would be nice to do something positive even though we were in a very fragile state.
"I think initially, when it was very painful, it was a good distraction for us.
"And as the years have gone by, we have been able to see what's come out of something that was obviously so distressing for us, and the way that something positive has come from something so negative.
"It has helped us but more importantly, it has helped thousands of children around the world."
She said: "Ten years on and we have become an established local charity.
"We have been very fortunate with the amount of support we have had for the trust, but it's good to let people know that we're still here and we're still raising money for people who really need our help."
The fund was this week boosted by a grant of more than £2,000 donated by Mr Davenport's employer, Domestic and General, a warranty and insurance provider based in Wimbledon.
Most recently, the six trustees have been working with five schools in Uganda, having just returned from a trip to the East African country.
These latest funds will go towards a project in the rural area of Kagganga, where a classroom block for 130 children has been constructed which can now be fully equipped with desks, chairs and books.
"Building schools is something we feel can really change children's futures. Education is absolutely vital in trying to break cycles of poverty," said Mrs Davenport.
"People in some of these areas rarely go to primary school and even more rarely to secondary school. If they get an education they can learn skills to support themselves.
"We try to focus our support on the people who are the most vulnerable.
"Building infrastructure and schools in poor and often remote areas, where there is need but no available provision or funding, is where Rianna's Fund has made a substantial difference. Our aim is to prove that one life can make many changes."
For more information or to donate visit the website www.riannasfund.org
Keep up-to-date with the charity's work on Twitter by following @RiannasFund
