A fund set up in the wake of the death of a three-year-old girl in Hadleigh has raised nearly £13,500 – but just £1,000 has been applied for.

Rosa Simon died in June last year after being in collision with a car as she played outside her home in Hadleigh.

After her death, Rosa’s father Paul Simon said the amount of support received from friends and the local community had been vital in helping the family through the following weeks and months.

This included setting up and contributing to a fund set up in Rosa’s name to raise money which could help improve musical opportunities for children by buying and donating instruments, and paying for instrument lessons.

But only a few applications for the cash have been received and together total less than £900.

Now the people who manage the fund have urged people not to be shy and come forward to claim a share of the fund.

Mr Simon said: “This gap actually says something very special about the community spirit in the town and the surrounding villages.

“So many people and organisations have hurled themselves into fantastically inspiring fundraising activities, but many seem shy about asking for funding themselves.

“But now is the time for local schools, churches, playgroups, registered child minders, plus the various choirs in the area, to help us responsibly invest the money raised to achieve the aims of Rosa’s Fund.”

The main activities of the fund include buying and giving away percussion instruments for younger children, buying orchestral instruments to loan to older children who might not otherwise have an opportunity to learn or play them, funding orchestral instrument tuition costs and paying for workshops for children who are autistic or have suffered a bereavement.

Nigel Crisp, another member of the team managing the fund, added: “The amazing generosity of so many has ensured that the Rosa Simon Music Fund is likely to be around for some time.

“But of course we don’t want to be sitting on lots of money as that won’t realise the fund’s vision for ensuring every local child has improved access to music. Furthermore, because of the fund’s initial successes, we are now looking at applying for charitable status and setting up its own bank account.”

Any person or group wanting to apply for money from the fund can visit its website, www.rosasimonmusicfund.co.uk, for more details and the application form.