Hundreds of people joined the parents of Harvey Willgoose in Sheffield today for a memorial march honouring the 15-year-old who was fatally stabbed at school earlier this week.
Caroline and Mark Willgoose led the procession from Sheffield town hall to Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United Football Club, carrying a banner in memory of their son.
The march, which began at 1pm, was organised to commemorate Harvey and spread an anti-knife crime message, with support from local charity Always An Alternative.
Harvey died on Monday after being stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School.
Participants in the march wore red and white clothing, reflecting the colours of Sheffield United, with many carrying balloons in the team's colours.
The crowd chanted "Goose Army" and "There's only one Harvey Willgoose" as they made their way through the city streets.
Marchers displayed banners with messages including "Lives Not Knives".
Spencer Starkes, one of the organisers, wrote on Facebook: "This will be a peaceful gathering and walk, it's about one thing and one thing only getting these [knives] took off our streets."
At the Championship match against Portsmouth, fans paid tribute to Harvey with applause during the 15th minute while his picture was displayed on screens throughout Bramall Lane stadium.
The commemorative gesture was echoed at West Bromwich's stadium in Birmingham, where fans also participated in a 15th-minute tribute as the Albion faced Sheffield Wednesday.
Harvey was known to be an avid supporter of Sheffield United and regularly attended matches with his friends.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with Harvey's murder, along with offences of affray and possession of a bladed article.
The emergency services were called to All Saints Catholic High School at 12.17pm on Monday following reports of a serious incident.
Despite the efforts of medics at the scene, Harvey died shortly afterwards.
The accused appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, where no pleas were entered. He was remanded into youth detention accommodation.
A trial date has been set for June 30, with a plea hearing expected in April 2025.
Earlier in the day, churches across Sheffield held services to remember Harvey, including a mass at St Joseph's church in Handsworth.
Monsignor Desmond Sexton, the vicar general of the Hallam diocese, told Sky News the mass focused on supporting Harvey's family.
"(It was about) supporting them always and to remember that this is a young life, a beautiful life, that has now come to a tragic end," he said.
"Yet at the same time, never to be forgotten, never to be thought of in the past, but always with us in the present and the future in our hearts and in our minds."
Bishop Ralph Heskett had asked for St Marie's Cathedral to remain open for private prayer.
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Caroline and Mark Willgoose led the procession from Sheffield town hall to Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United Football Club, carrying a banner in memory of their son.
The march, which began at 1pm, was organised to commemorate Harvey and spread an anti-knife crime message, with support from local charity Always An Alternative.
Harvey died on Monday after being stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School.
Participants in the march wore red and white clothing, reflecting the colours of Sheffield United, with many carrying balloons in the team's colours.
The crowd chanted "Goose Army" and "There's only one Harvey Willgoose" as they made their way through the city streets.
Marchers displayed banners with messages including "Lives Not Knives".
Spencer Starkes, one of the organisers, wrote on Facebook: "This will be a peaceful gathering and walk, it's about one thing and one thing only getting these [knives] took off our streets."
At the Championship match against Portsmouth, fans paid tribute to Harvey with applause during the 15th minute while his picture was displayed on screens throughout Bramall Lane stadium.
The commemorative gesture was echoed at West Bromwich's stadium in Birmingham, where fans also participated in a 15th-minute tribute as the Albion faced Sheffield Wednesday.
Harvey was known to be an avid supporter of Sheffield United and regularly attended matches with his friends.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Fundraiser for funeral of stabbed schoolboy Harvey Willgoose raises more than £17,000
- Teenage boy, 15, charged with murder of fellow 15-year-old at Sheffield school
- Boy, 15, dies after stabbing at Catholic school in Sheffield as 14-year-old arrested by police
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with Harvey's murder, along with offences of affray and possession of a bladed article.
The emergency services were called to All Saints Catholic High School at 12.17pm on Monday following reports of a serious incident.
Despite the efforts of medics at the scene, Harvey died shortly afterwards.
The accused appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, where no pleas were entered. He was remanded into youth detention accommodation.
A trial date has been set for June 30, with a plea hearing expected in April 2025.
Earlier in the day, churches across Sheffield held services to remember Harvey, including a mass at St Joseph's church in Handsworth.
Monsignor Desmond Sexton, the vicar general of the Hallam diocese, told Sky News the mass focused on supporting Harvey's family.
"(It was about) supporting them always and to remember that this is a young life, a beautiful life, that has now come to a tragic end," he said.
"Yet at the same time, never to be forgotten, never to be thought of in the past, but always with us in the present and the future in our hearts and in our minds."
Bishop Ralph Heskett had asked for St Marie's Cathedral to remain open for private prayer.
Find Out More...