WATCH: Hundreds at emotional final walk in memory of Rosie Ross
'Her spirit lives on within us and by helping so many others as well' – these are the words of the mother of Rosie Ross as 400 people took part in a charity walk in memory of the teenager who was stabbed to death.
This year marked the last time the annual event, called Rosie's Walk, would be held. It takes place at the Aldridge Old Airport in Bosty Lane in aid of the Rosie's Helping Hands charity.
The charity was dedicated to the life of Rosie, who was killed aged 16 while on a shopping trip with a friend in Birmingham in 2001.
The walk is the largest fundraising event organised by the charity and was set up by Rosie's parents Karen and Sean Ross, from Aldridge, in 2002.
Mr and Mrs Ross said that they did not want the event to go on any longer than Rosie's life did.
The charity has raised money for a number of good causes and sees many people go on either a one or three mile walk.
Karen, aged 55, and Sean, aged 57, originally set up the walk as a one-off event to raise money fundraiser to buy some equipment for the A&E department at Birmingham's City Hospital where Rosie was taken after she was stabbed.
Karen said: "We never thought the walk would get this big. When we first started it was only for a year as a one-off thing.
"We have had fantastic weather and a great turnout, so it is lovely to be able to finish on a high like this.
"It is of course very emotional too. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past 15 years as we could not have done it without them.
"Rosie's spirit lives on within us and by helping so many others as well."
Walkers were encouraged to wear flowers in their hair during the trek in memory of what Rosie wore the last time she left home.
John Frajcher, a family friend who was taking part in the three mile walk, added: "Today is quite poignant but I know that people will still continue to donate to the charity and that way Rosie will always be remembered."
