Mum who died saving daughter after brutal attack by ex honoured by Queen
A YOUNG mum killed trying to save her daughter after a brutal attack by her ex has been honoured for her bravery by the Queen.
Leanne Collopy, from Rawtenstall, Lancs, was subjected to a sickening knife attack by Saleem Said in July 2017 before he doused her in petrol and torched her house.
The 25-year-old was butchered with a kitchen knife before her callous set the blaze, when she did everything she could to keep her daughter away from the flames.
Police found the child in wet clothed with the window open when they found her – where Leanne had been trying to get her to safety.
The mum and daughter were rescued by officers who pulled them to safety through a window but Leanne died from her injuries in hospital on August 3, 2017.
She has now been recognised by the Queen for her incredible actions and posthumously given a “Commendation for Bravery”.
COURAGEOUS
Her family said: "As a family we are immensely proud and honoured that Leanne’s final actions as a devoted mum have been acknowledged in such a way.”
PC Mark Fletcher, of Lancashire Police, who helped get Leanne and her daughter out of the building has also been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.
After a number of unsuccessful attempts to break through the front door, he managed to break a window.
Leanne's funeral was held at St James The Less Church in Rawtenstall in Rossendale, in August 2017, and was attended by family, friends and colleagues.
She was beautiful, inquisitive, beloved by everyone and the biggest wind-up merchant. Family and friends were everything to Leanne.
Her coffin was adorned with photographs of her growing up and creating treasured memories with her family.
Around a dozen police officers also attended the requiem mass for the nursery worker.
A floral tribute from officers read: “With deepest sympathy, from Lancashire Constabulary.”
In a joint statement her family said her daughters meant everything to her.
They said: “She was beautiful, inquisitive, beloved by everyone and the biggest wind-up merchant.
“Family and friends were everything to Leanne.
“She would spend all her spare time with her two girls Lola and Leila, taking them to the park on days out and to see extended family.
“Her girls meant the world to her and she did everything to ensure they were the happiest they could be.”
Said was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder and arson with intent to endanger life.
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