Family's tribute to murder victim Julie Gallagher

Relatives and friends gathered at Rotherham Crematorium to pay their last respects to Julie, who was killed by a single stab wound in March.

Popular Julie, from Eastwood, was described as funny, always laughing and a fighter who would not let things get her down.

Mum Barbara said: “We have waited a long time for the funeral, and it meant a lot to all of us to finally be able to lay Julie to rest.

“Angel by Westlife was the main song that the family chose for the service, because it means a lot to us and Julie was a big fan of Westlife.”

The funeral was family flowers only, with donations in lieu going to research into a rare blood disorder, Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia, which Julie had since the age of two.

Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT) is a protein deficiency in the circulation, which can cause internal bleeding and even be life-threatening.

The family are also planning walks and other sponsored events in Julie’s memory, also to raise money for GT research.

Barbara said: “It’s quite a serious condition, but Julie never harped on about it.

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“There are several different things that we’re planning, and we hope to get that off the ground soon because it is rather important to us.

“There was nothing done about GT for years and years. When Julie was young there was nowhere really that she could turn for help.

“Now we have the chance to raise money and awareness for the cause in her memory.”

There was no wake following the service yesterday. Instead, the family are planning a memorial service and celebration of Julie’s life later in the year.

A 55-year-old man is on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of Julie’s murder.