Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a 14-year-old girl who died suddenly at home.

Fallibroome Academy student Ashleigh Bowes was found at her family’s house on Newquay Drive, Macclesfield.

The police are not treating her death as suspicious.

Hundreds of people attended the popular teen’s funeral on Friday, September 12, at St Alban’s Roman Catholic Church.

And her mum Sue has paid tribute to her ‘bubbly and caring’ daughter, who died peacefully on Saturday, August 30.

Sue, 43, said: “Ashleigh was one of a kind, jovial and happy and always helping others.

“She loved animals, especially horse riding and her rabbit – Floppy. She would teach him to jump over hurdles in the garden by putting chocolate on the other side.

“She used to ride at Bank Farm Riding School, and on her friend’s Trudy Pennington’s horses in Prestbury. She always chose the maddest horse to ride – she was a bit of a thrill-seeker.

“Ashleigh was an avid reader and always had her head in a book. She also loved the television show Friends, and her latest interest was watching horror films.

“She loved to write stories too, though she talked about eventually doing a job in which she could help others, something in counselling or even detective work.”

Ashleigh Bowes with mum Sue and brother Chris.

Ashleigh is a former pupil at St Alban’s Primary School and at Friday’s service three teachers from the school read an intercessory prayer for her. Peter Rubery, her principal at Fallibroome, read a psalm in her memory. Sue added: “Fellow pupils from Fallibroome also sang which was very touching. They performed a gentle pop song.

“There were lots of people there – the church holds 350 people and there was probably that and more.

“At the end of the service I read a eulogy, which was entertaining and told various funny stories and antics that Ashleigh had got up to throughout her life, which was much more in keeping with what she was like – fun and not too serious.

“She always had something good to say to people to cheer them up, and many people have been in touch with us to talk about how she touched their lives – even if it was just in a small way.

“She will be greatly missed by myself, dad Kevin, brother Chris and the rest of her family and her friends.”

 

More than 50 students and staff from Fallibroome Academy attended Friday’s service. Speaking afterwards, Mr Rubery said: “We extend our deepest sympathy to Ashleigh’s family for the loss of their daughter. Ashleigh was a popular student who had a bright future ahead of her.

“She was very warm and friendly and enjoyed school, participating in sport and dance. We will offer her friends and family as much support as we can over the next few weeks as we come to terms with the shock of Ashleigh’s untimely passing.”

An inquest into Ashleigh’s death has been opened.