Murder victim's friends set up trust fund

1:00pm Friday 5th December 2008

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THE friends of a Padgate teenager murdered after a student party in the town centre last year have raised almost £15,000 in his memory.

Stuart Lowe died at the age of 18, a week after he was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver on Sankey Street in the early hours of last October 18 following a Priestley College night out.

Friends of the popular former Woolston High School pupil vowed to keep his memory alive and set up the Stuart Lowe Trust Fund with three of their mums and one of their grandmothers.

The group has been fundraising in Stuart’s memory since his death on October 25 and have held two auction events at the Rylands Club where Stuart used to play rugby.

A group of his friends also ran the Great North Run earlier this year wearing T-shirts bearing his name.

Julie Lee, one of the trustees and the mum of Stuart’s best friend Chris, said: “Everyone who knew Stuart has been hit really hard by his death.

“All of his friends were very close as they grew up together and want Stuart’s memory to live on.

“I promised my son that Stuart would never be forgotten so we set up this fund shortly after Stuart tragically died.

“We held a big fundraising event a few weeks afterwards at the Rylands Club and raised £5,000.

“We hope to do this annually for as many years as possible and will do as much as we can to keep his memory alive and to celebrate his life.”

On Monday the group of friends donated £7,000 to St Margaret’s Church, in Orford, where Stuart was christened and is now buried.

A further £7,000 will be given to the Walton Centre, in Liverpool – the specialist neurological unit where Stuart spent a week before he died.

Yvonne Lowe, Stuart’s mum, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the fund as well as the businesses that have contributed to the raffle and auction prizes.

“It has been really overwhelming that everyone did this for Stuart in such tragic circumstances – it has been a really nice tribute.

“I would also like to thank all the family and friends who have supported us through this dreadful year.

“Every day is awful but you have just got to try and live with it, which is a very hard thing to do.”

l Warrington Bereaved Parents Group is holding a candelit service on Monday, at 7.30pm, at St Elphin’s Church, on Church Street.

The service is aimed at all bereaved parents and friends. Names of deceased children can be read out and a candle will be lit in their memory.

After the service their names will be entered in a book of remembrance which is kept in the church.

A hot drink and mince pies will be served after the service.