THE heartbroken mum of Alesha MacPhail will mark her daughter turning eight by singing happy birthday at her grave.

Georgina Lochrane will hold a vigil this weekend in Alesha’s hometown of Airdrie to mark the milestone and says she plans to do the tribute every year.

READ MORE: Wife of Fernando Ricksen pays tribute to Rangers legend one month after death

Glasgow Times:

The 24-year-old told The Daily Record said: “On her birthday we will do as we did last year and go up to Alesha’s grave and just spend as long as we can up there with her.

"Last year we played one of her favourite songs, Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, and sang happy birthday to her. I had to stop because it hit me hard and this year will be the same, but we will continue to do it for her.

"This week all I have done is wish her wee beautiful face would come bouncing into the living room, most probably giving me the last-minute changes to her birthday presents or asking is she’s getting a birthday cake.

“I wonder what she would have wanted this year if she was still here - no doubt something so bizarre like last year. She had her list in well before she passed and she wanted a full gymnastics set in her bedroom, the mats, poles - the lot.

“I know it’s only been a year but it honestly feels like forever since I last saw her face, heard her voice and cuddled her.

“I sit and think about how much she would have changed over the year and how grown up she would be now.”

Glasgow Times:

Georgina, her partner George Horn and her daughter Courtney, five, faced the first painful birthday without Alesha just three months after her death at six years old on July 2 last year.

Aaron Campbell was convicted of killing the schoolgirl on the Isle of Bute. 

Georgina said: “It’s definitely not gotten any easier since last year, if anything it’s harder.

“Alesha should really be here to celebrate her birthday, not having a vigil in her memory. But as long as I live on this earth Alesha will never be forgotten and I doubt her sister will let it happen after I’m gone.

“She’s already keeping her sister’s memory alive in her own little way. She’s only five and still doesn’t understand why her sister can’t be here, why we’re releasing balloons instead of having Alesha here and celebrating it with her, but she’s so excited for the vigil.”

The vigil will be held in Airdrie’s Coatdyke Park on Sunday and those who attend are invited to gather across the road from the war memorial from 7.30 pm.

All are welcome to bring a candle and a pink balloon, to be released in Alesha’s memory at 8 pm.