On Saturday afternoon, Harvey Willgoose’s friends, fellow Sheffield United supporters and others affected by his death met at Sheffield Town Hall to march to the football ground
Hundreds of people have gathered to march through Sheffield in memory of a 15-year-old schoolboy who was allegedly stabbed to death at school.
Harvey died on Monday after being knifed at All Saints Catholic School in Granville Road in the city. Since his death, dozens of people have paid tribute to him with flowers and messages left outside the school.
Harvey was an avid Sheffield United supporter and floral tributes, football shirts, scarves and messages have also been left outside the stadium in Bramall Lane. One tribute, written on a Sheffield United shirt, reads: “RIP Harvey. Forever in our hearts.”
On Saturday afternoon, Harvey’s friends, fellow Sheffield United supporters and others affected by his death met at Sheffield Town Hall to march to the ground ahead of the match against Portsmouth at 3pm.
Some people wore red and white, while others carried balloons in the same colours or held banners. One black and white banner with Harvey pictured inside the Sheffield United logo reads: “Lives not knives. It’s not ok.”
The march is being supported by Sheffield anti-knife crime charity Always An Alternative. Earlier on Saturday, churches in the city held services to commemorate the youngster.
Bishop Ralph Heskett, the Bishop of Hallam, asked for St Marie’s Cathedral in central Sheffield to be open for those wanting a place for private prayer. A mass was held at St Joseph’s church in Handsworth, Sheffield.
Mark McManus, the parish priest at St Joseph’s, said: “Harvey was a former pupil of St Joseph’s Academy and, along with the members of our community who attend All Saints High School, many will have been affected by his death – some very closely.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Harvey’s mother Caroline and other family members visited the school where flowers, balloons and cards were left for the popular pupil.
After the visit, they released a statement saying: “We are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful boy, ‘Harvey Goose’. Our lives are devastated and will never be the same again.
“We have lost a beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and most importantly, a best friend to all. Harvey will be forever known for being a caring, loving and funny young man. At this difficult time we ask you to please respect our privacy as we grieve as a family.”
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. He appeared at Sheffield crown court on Thursday accused of murdering Harvey. Harvey was stabbed in the heart with a hunting knife on Monday around midday, in what was described in court as a “tragic” event.
The Honorable Recorder of Sheffield Jeremy Richardson KC, remanded him into youth detention after telling the teen, who was dressed in a grey tracksuit and sweater, he would get a fair trial. The Judge told the defendant after asking him to stand up: “I am determined you will be tried fairly…your trial is going to take place at the end of June through to July.” The trial is expected to last four weeks.
