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Hundreds set to fill Aylesford and Snodland streets for baby Olive’s final journey

By: Sean McPolin smcpolin@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 11:30, 07 August 2023

Updated: 12:29, 07 August 2023

Hundreds of people are set to line the streets this week to say a final farewell to a two-month old baby who died after a cardiac arrest.

Premature Olive Susan Devall’s sudden death left her family heartbroken after mum Rachel woke to find her daughter unresponsive.

Baby Olive will be taking her last journey from Aylesford to Snodland on Wednesday. Picture: Rachel Devall

Olive, who was born eight weeks early at Tunbridge Wells Hospital on April 24, died on July 1.

She and her family were part of the gypsy and traveller community and lived at Coldharbour caravan site in Aylesford.

On Wednesday, a funeral will be held from 1pm at the All Saints’ Christ Church in Malling Road, Snodland.

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In the hour before, hundreds will be making the trip alongside Olive in a Cinderella carriage, from Coldharbour for her final journey.

Mum Rachel, 24, said: “We are encouraging everyone who can come and give this little girl a final send off and maybe even dress up as well.

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Olive was only two months old when she went into cardiac arrest. Picture: Rachel Devall

“Everyone is welcome to the funeral and watch the plane which will be at the community centre.”

Olive’s family have been inundated with support from family, friends and strangers since the tot’s tragic death.

“We were totally shocked and overwhelmed by the kindness we received. Not just from our community but everyone from different walks of life. It’s been amazing to see everyone come together.”

Olive’s family have arranged for a plane to fly overhead at around 3pm with a banner which reads “R.I.P. Olive – forever beautiful”.

Olive’s final journey will get the community centre via London Road, New Hythe Lane, Lunsford Lane, Leybourne Way, A228 Castle Way and finally Malling Road.

Rachel Devall, 24, found her daughter unresponsive on July 1. Picture: Rachel Devall

Speaking last month about losing her daughter, Rachel, who grew up in Snodland, said: “We are all devastated.

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“We can’t get over how our beautiful girl has just been cruelly taken from us and we still have no answers.

“I was performing CPR on Olive while we waited for the paramedics to arrive. They worked on her for six hours but unfortunately, we had to make the decision to stop Olive’s life support.

“There was nothing they could do for her and she couldn’t breathe on her own. She was brain dead.

“I was with Olive every day while she was in hospital, spending as many hours as possible with her and giving her all my time.

The Aylesford baby will be taken to the Snodland church in a Cinderella carriage. Picture: Rachel Devall

“I am truly grateful that I did spend as many hours as possible with her. Olive was a beautiful, sun-shining baby and she was loved very dearly by everyone around her. Olive’s death is a tragedy to us all.”

Olive didn’t have a dad around, but was loved by her grandparents, Leonard and Rachel, as well as her uncles Lennyjoe, Archie and her auntie Frankie who all “gave her enough love for a thousand families”.

The heartbroken mum added: “Olive was an absolute darling. She was just perfect in every way. She is a diamond that will shine bright in our lives.”

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