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.
A march for Lives Not Knives after murder of Harvey Willgoose at school
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Harvey Willgoose was just 15
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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.
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Caroline Willgoose, the mother of Harvey Willgoose outside Sheffield Town Hall
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A tribute on the stadiums big screen to 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose
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Harvey Willgoose’s father Mark Willgoose holds a banner as he marches to Bramall Lane in memory of his son
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People marching in memory of Harvey Willgoose
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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.
