Tears for Kate (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Tears for Kate

Ref. 29009-19Family and friends bid a final farewell to Kate Walsh, the teenager who died of a suspected drugs overdose while living in a squalid Swindon squat.

HIGHWORTH came to a hushed standstill as friends and relatives grieved for Kate Walsh the girl who died of a suspected heroin overdose in a squalid squat.

Kate who adored horses was carried through the streets on a carriage drawn by a carthorse she used to ride in her younger, happier days.

The sun came out as a silent parade of nearly 200 mourners followed the cortege to Highworth Methodist Church.

During a moving service, the Rev Roger Faulkner paid tribute to Kate's warm, fun-loving nature.

And he made an impassioned plea for changes to be made to prevent a similar tragedy happening again.

Kate, 16, was a promising musician who dreamt of becoming a professional flautist. But her young life was cut short after she became caught in a spiral of drug addiction.

She died alone from a suspected heroin overdose in a squat in Manchester Road last month.

Mr Faulkner, who knew Kate from the days she spent at the church's holiday clubs, said: "Why should a young life come to such a tragic end? All of us have a responsibly of care for the young and vulnerable.

"Have we let Kate down? The answer is yes we have."

A major investigation is now underway to establish whether more could have been done for Kate.

Her parents Anthony and Debbie of Eastview Terrace, Highworth pleaded for the police and social services to help their daughter, but were told little could be done because she was 16, and a adult.

Speaking about Kate's personality, the minister said: "She was full of spirit, and always liked to be the centre of attention."

The service began with a moving poem written by Amalia Morris, 16, one of Kate's best friends from Highworth Warneford School.

There were tears as one of Kate's favourite songs Where Is The Love? by rap group the Black Eyed Peas was played. It has come to encapsulate the tragic way Kate died, and the family have distributed photographs emblazoned with the title to shops in the town.

Younger mourners mouthed along to another tune Beautiful by Christine Aguilera.

Earlier, there had been moving scenes as tearful mourners comforted Mr and Mrs Walsh and Kate's brother Damien, 18.

After the service, a police escort led the funeral parade to the cemetery in Cricklade Road. Following the hearse were two more horse drawn carriages, one carrying children of family friends and the other bedecked with flowers.

After the service, more of Kate's schoolfriends paid tribute to her.

On one occasion she helped organise a secret birthday party for Charlotte Milloy, 16.

She said: "It was a lovely surprise, and typical of her, she was such fun."

Tamash Lal