Emotional scenes at memorial to teenager Nathaniel Shani on what would have been his 15th birthday
25.09.2023 - 20:27
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
From the streets surrounding Harpurhey Park, they came in their droves to remember him. Nathaniel Shani, 14, died after being fatally stabbed in an incident on Tavistock Square, just a few hundred yards away, last Friday (September 15). A 14-year-old boy has been charged with his murder.
It is a tragedy that has left the local community shocked and devastated. And tonight (Monday) there were emotional scenes as scores of people paid their respects to him at the park on what would have been his 15th birthday.
People young and old clutched blue and black balloons, some in the shape of the number 15 and the letter 'N', and others containing messages such as 'birthday boy.' Whilst others wore hoodies and t-shirts with his face, some also bearing the message 'Forever 14.'
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There were speeches from some of those close to Nathaniel before corks were popped in honour of one of his trademark phrases, which was 'pop Champagne.' Flares and smoke bombs were also let off before the mass of balloons was released into the night sky.
Afterwards, lots of people were visibly emotional, in tears and consoling each other as the balloons floated away and the sombre applause came to an end.
One of those who released a balloon was Sarah Sampson, 43, who said she used to look after Nathaniel at an after-school club when he was 10 years old.
"He was such a lovely character," she said. "A really kind person who always had a smile on his face and made the girls laugh. I was heartbroken when I heard what had happened. I just couldn't get my head around it. It's just absolutely shocking and it's devastated the community."
The event was the idea of young