MORE than a hundred mourners turned out to pay their respects to a seven-year-old girl who died suddenly after a short illness.

A sea of pink and purple gathered outside St Basil’s Church to pay tribute to Malaika Adam.

Malaika, a pupil at St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, in Basildon, died on May 15, after a stomach bug.

Her mumDonna Howe, 38, led the crowds to the ceremony in Luncies Road before a private service at Pitsea Crematorium for family.

Those attending were asked to wear Malaika’s favourite colours pink and purple to the service and balloons were seen dotted in the streets in Vange in tribute to the schoolgirl.

The community has rallied around Malaika’s family, including her 11 brothers and sisters, and has donated nearly £500 towards funeral costs.

Headteacher at St Teresa’s Nuala Cashell organised a special assembly for the children to say goodbye and pupils released dozens of white helium balloons to say goodbye.

Echo readers also paid tribute to Malaika online.

One said: “How awful. RIP little girl and love and heartfelt sympathy to your family.”

Others said: “Thoughts are with the family. Seven years old is a tragic loss of life”

and, “how terribly sad – fly with the angels little one.”