‘She was the best mummy with the biggest heart': Crowds gather at Donaghadee vigil for Sarah Montgomery
Earlier today, Zak Hughes (28), of Ardglen Place, Belfast, appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court charged with Ms Montgomery's murder and destroying the life of her unborn child.
This evening, the local community are holding a vigil for Ms Montgomery, in collaboration with the North Down & Ards Women's Aid group.
Beginning at 6.30pm, mourners gathered at the Donaghadee Resource Centre and walked the short distance to Ms Montgomery's home.
Attendees were encouraged to wear anything with the colour purple.
Ainslie White, Ms Montgomery's best friend, told the crowd that her two daughters 'will be the most protected wee girls ever'.
She also described Ms Montgomery as having "the biggest heart" and someone that "absolutely loved band season".
She asked mourners to raised a glass and think of her friend on the Twelfth next week.
"Sarah was the best mummy and she couldn't wait to make her family complete with her little boy," said Ms White.
'I had been lucky enough to attend her gender scan with her, where her daughters were unsure whether they wanted a baby brother or a baby sister... Once they found out it was a boy, they were more than happy because then they wouldn't have to share their stuff with him.
"I hope Sarah knew how much she was loved, and I don't even have the words to begin how to describe Sarah as a friend.
"I was honoured to call her my best friend and my sister at the same time.
"Sarah was the kind of girl to leave you 10-minute voice note... She never failed to put a smile on your face. She was a girl's girl and she had your back, through and through.
"She was there for absolutely everybody and it had been an honour to have her in all of our lives."
A spokesperson for the Beechfield Community Well-being Centre, stated: 'Sarah is not just a statistic, Sarah was a mummy, a sister, a granddaughter and a friend, she deserves to be remembered in a dignified manner.'
A fundraiser set up in memory of Ms Montgomery has raised over £40,000 as of today.
The organisers said that Ms Montgomery's wider family had been 'left bereft of the care and support' she had provided.
The statement added: 'Donations will not ease the pain that this family will have to live with forever but as a close knit community, we are keen to show them that they are so loved and supported at this sad time and in the days, months and years to come.
'Violence against women will not be tolerated in our community. We must stand together to ensure that this will never happens again.'
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The 27-year-old – who was around 34 weeks pregnant with a baby boy – was found dead at her home in the Elmfield Walk area of Donaghadee on Saturday afternoon. Earlier today, Zak Hughes (28), of Ardglen Place, Belfast, appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court charged with Ms Montgomery's murder and destroying the life of her unborn child. This evening, the local community are holding a vigil for Ms Montgomery, in collaboration with the North Down & Ards Women's Aid group. Beginning at 6.30pm, mourners gathered at the Donaghadee Resource Centre and walked the short distance to Ms Montgomery's home. Attendees were encouraged to wear anything with the colour purple. Ainslie White, Ms Montgomery's best friend, told the crowd that her two daughters 'will be the most protected wee girls ever'. She also described Ms Montgomery as having "the biggest heart" and someone that "absolutely loved band season". She asked mourners to raised a glass and think of her friend on the Twelfth next week. "Sarah was the best mummy and she couldn't wait to make her family complete with her little boy," said Ms White. 'I had been lucky enough to attend her gender scan with her, where her daughters were unsure whether they wanted a baby brother or a baby sister... Once they found out it was a boy, they were more than happy because then they wouldn't have to share their stuff with him. "I hope Sarah knew how much she was loved, and I don't even have the words to begin how to describe Sarah as a friend. "I was honoured to call her my best friend and my sister at the same time. "Sarah was the kind of girl to leave you 10-minute voice note... She never failed to put a smile on your face. She was a girl's girl and she had your back, through and through. "She was there for absolutely everybody and it had been an honour to have her in all of our lives." A spokesperson for the Beechfield Community Well-being Centre, stated: 'Sarah is not just a statistic, Sarah was a mummy, a sister, a granddaughter and a friend, she deserves to be remembered in a dignified manner.' A fundraiser set up in memory of Ms Montgomery has raised over £40,000 as of today. The organisers said that Ms Montgomery's wider family had been 'left bereft of the care and support' she had provided. The statement added: 'Donations will not ease the pain that this family will have to live with forever but as a close knit community, we are keen to show them that they are so loved and supported at this sad time and in the days, months and years to come. 'Violence against women will not be tolerated in our community. We must stand together to ensure that this will never happens again.'
