Star-shaped balloons released at vigil for allegedly murdered toddler Star Hobson

The sweet tribute was organised by the toddler's godfather.

More than 100 people attended a vigil over the weekend for a 16-month-old who was allegedly murdered last year. Star Hobson suffered "utterly catastrophic injuries" prior to dying of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Yorkshire on 22 September 2020. Her mum Frankie Smith, 20, and her partner Savannah Brockhill, 28, are currently on trial charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of the infant, all of which they deny. The vigil was held in her memory on Saturday at Roberts Park, West Yorkshire. Dozens of pink and yellow star-shaped balloons were released throughout the event, which was organised by her godfather, Jake Lowndes.

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The 25-year-old told BBC News he organised the vigil for people to "pay tribute" to a "beautiful, adorable and cute" toddler who "had the perfect name for the perfect baby", and that he was blown away to see around 150 people show up. "It's just beautiful to see how much love and support there is for Star and her family," he said. He said more than £3,400 had been raised for up to five memorial benches in the toddler's honour. Two are planned to be donated to Star's father and great-grandmother respectively, with the rest planned for local parks. "We'll be able to see her name so that she's never forgotten," Lowndes said.