Memorial fund for schoolboy killed in dog attack

A memorial fund has been set up to help pay for the funeral of a nine-year-old boy killed in a dog attack at a holiday park.

Frankie Macritchie, from Plymouth, died while on holiday at Tencreek Holiday Park in Looe, Cornwall, on Saturday.

A GoFundMe page launched by the family on Tuesday has a target of £5,000 to help with the costs of his funeral, with almost £3,000 raised by Wednesday afternoon.

A message on the page said Frankie had been “living life to the fullest” after being in and out of hospital throughout his short life, and said his death had “devastated” the country.

The message said: “Frankie Gray Macritchie a name that all of us have heard over the past few days. The little boy who tragically died in a fatal dog attack whilst on holiday at Tencreek holiday park in Looe bay.

“Frankie was just like any other 9 year old boy but had to start life as a little fighter as he was born with a severe heart condition. After numerous amount of major heart surgery’s and being in and out of hospital throughout his life it never stopped him from living life to the fullest.

“Frankie was a kind caring and loving little boy, a boy with a truly special beautiful heart. His death has devastated the whole of our family and I’m sure the whole of the nation.

“I am setting up a go fund me page to help raise enough funds for Frankies funeral and give this beautiful boy the most wonderful goodbye we possibly can.”

One donor, Claire Easton, posted on the page: “Money is the last thing this family should have to think about. Hope they raise as much as possible and give him a beautiful send off.”

Rosie Kyle posted: “This little man deserves the best send off ever. His strength will forever live on.

“This has shocked everyone in Plymouth, even people who didn’t know him.

“He has a strong family and was loved by all who knew him. Sleep peacefully Frankie Gray, fly high with the angels baby boy.”

Police were called to a caravan on the holiday park site just before 5am on Saturday to reports Frankie had been attacked by a bulldog-type breed of dog.

The schoolboy, believed to have been alone with the dog, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hours after the incident, officers arrested a 28-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter and having a dog dangerously out of control.

She has since been released under police investigation pending further inquiries.

The dog was seized and remains in kennels.