THE heartbroken father of Violet-Grace Youens is urging others to “cherish the time” they have with their loved ones, two days after the funeral of his four-year-old daughter.

Violet-Grace died on March 25 after being struck by a car on Prescot Road the day before, while she was walking home from school with her grandmother, Angela French, 56.

Her dad, Glenn Youens took to Facebook yesterday, Wednesday, one day after her funeral, to thank people for their support and encourage people to spend time with their loved ones.

His post said: “Yesterday we lay our beautiful baby girl Violet-Grace to rest. It was the hardest thing we have ever had to do.

“This is a day we will never forget and we hope you was watching down and enjoyed the party we did for you to celebrate the years we did have together.

“Today I've been talking to one of Violet's school friend dad and he said to me to 'not to worry about what we never got to have with Violet and to cherish everything we did get to have with her, and this is what we are going to do.

“We are asking you all now to do the same, to cherish the time you have with loved ones especially if you have kids.

“Give them that second story, that extra five minutes in the park or that two more minutes in the bath. We would do anything for two more minutes with Violet-Grace.”

He then went on to thank people for attending her funeral, held at St Julie’s Church in Eccleston on Tuesday, followed by an event celebrating the little girl’s short life.

He added: “We would like to thank everybody for yesterday. The people of St Helens and everyone who had sent a message of support. It really means a lot to us.

“And we know our little super hero would have loved the celebration of her life and that's what we must do, everyone who met Violet-Grace and didn't, please celebrate her life by spending as much time as you can with loved ones.

“Thank you to all who came and everyone who helped arrange and was part of the day. It really was great to see all the kids celebrating Violet's life.

“Sleep tight my baby girl until we meet again

“Love you loads Mummy, Daddy and Oliver.”

Violet-Grace’s nan Angela was at the funeral which was also attended by hundreds of people, many wearing bright colours or the colour violet.

Children also attended dressed as princesses and superheroes.

Her parents are also encouraging others to sign the organ donation register in memory of the brave four-year-old, whose kidneys and pancreas were donated to others after she died.

To sign up visit organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the family currently has £23,949.

To donate visit gofundme.com/violet-grace