Parent’s agony as ‘fit and healthy’ girl dies after collapse at school

Hundreds have attended the funeral of a 10-year-old “fit and healthy” schoolgirl who died, after suddenly collapsing at school. 

Rai-Lèyah Parveen Jayne Saddique, of Wakefield, Yorkshire, was rushed to hospital after collapsing last Wednesday afternoon. She was transferred from Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield to Leeds General Infirmary where she tragically died in the early hours of Monday morning.

Rai-Lèyah, 10, was described as a popular and well-loved girl. According to YorkshireLive, several hundred people attended her funeral service on Monday at Jamia Masjid Swafia mosque on Park Lodge Lane in Wakefield, which was followed by a burial service at Wakefield Cemetery on Sugar Lane.

Among the mourners were friends and teachers from her school in Wakefield.

A family spokesman said: “She was a hard-working girl who was loved by family and friends.

“Her school was closed on Monday. Students attended (her funeral) and let off balloons.”

The spokesman said it was believed that Rai-Lèyah had suffered a brain haemorrhage. She was described as a previously fit and healthy girl. The family spokesman said between 200 and 300 people attended the funeral, including pupils and staff from her school.

Rai-Lèyah was the daughter of Natalie and Asif and the granddaughter of Mirza Mohammed Saddique.

Her death was announced by the Muslim funeral service Janaza Announcements Facebook page where hundreds of people offered their prayers for the family alongside many tributes.

One family member wrote: “Heartbreaking – she was a little beauty, little angel. May Allah swt give her the highest rank in Jannah we will miss u lots love u.”

One well-wisher said: “Can’t even begin to imagine what they are going through.”

One man posted: “Heartbreaking and tragic news, she’s only a little older than our daughter and I can’t imagine the agony the parents must be feeling.”

One woman wrote: “Beautiful angel. Ameen.”