A balloon launch will be held to mark Rosie Darbyshire’s birthday at a new garden built in her memory.

The event, organised by Rosie’s sister Alice Hodgson, marks the mum-of-one’s 28th birthday and will take place at 6pm this evening (Wednesday October 23).

Rosie was murdered by her boyfriend of just a few weeks, Benjamin Topping, in the early hours of February 7.

She had asked Lancashire Police for a background check of him under Clare’s Law – a scheme to warn women about potential violent offenders – but was killed while she awaited a response.

Rosie’s family are now calling for a change in the law to speed up disclosures under the scheme.

Following Rosie’s death, hundreds of people gathered outside her home in Moor Nook to release balloons and light candles, in an outpouring of love for her.

A memorial garden has now been built in Village Drive to create a permanent memorial to Rosie and give her friends and family a place to remember her.

Read more: A memorial garden has been created in memory of Rosie Darbyshire

This evening, Alice hopes to create a positive celebration of Rosie’s life.

She said: ” We are having a balloon release for Rosie’s birthday at the memorial garden on village drive. Bring a balloon and let’s make it colourful and big again like the last one.”

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