A grieving Hereford family has been touched by an outpouring of feeling among friends and relatives of 17-year-old Daren Loader, killed as the result of an attack in the city last March.
It came at a poignant ceremony to mark what should have been the popular student’s 18th birthday celebrations.
More than 100 gathered at Daren’s graveside on Sunday as 18 chinese lanterns were released one by one.
Making a brave effort in these tragic circumstances, members of the family joined relatives and friends in placing balloons and flowers at the teenager’s grave which is inscribed with the words, ‘Always Smiling’.
Some 120 miles away, relatives in Liverpool co-ordinated a similar event beside the River Mersey.
Taking part in the ceremony at the Westfaling Street cemetery was Daren’s father Paul, older brother Colin, 19, and his girlfriend Val, sister Jodie, 14, and grandparents Joan and Martin Roberts.
Daren’s mother Tracy was said to be too upset to attend.
Joan said: “My family is from Liverpool and we timed things so they would happen at the same time there and here in Hereford.”
Expecting a small number to join them on Sunday evening, the family was overwhelmed by the numbers who came to express their feelings about Daren.
“There were lots of young girls and boys and they brought hundreds of pounds worth of flowers.”
Mrs Roberts said the family wanted to express their thanks to all who helped to mark this special day. “There was such a good turn out for him,” said Daren’s grandmother. “It just shows how popular he was.”
A man accused of the murder of Daren Loader is due to go on trial at Worcester Crown Court on April 7. Andrej Mackevic, aged 27, of no fixed address pleads not guilty to the charge.
Virunas Kalasnikovas, aged 23, pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing in July 2009.