Stab victim’s family ‘grateful’ for support
COMMUNITY HELPED WITH ‘INDESCRIBABLE PAIN’
TRAGIC Connor Brown’s family say they “would’ve crumbled” without the incredible kindness shown by a community united in mourning.
The 18-year-old suffered fatal stab wounds after a night out in Sunderland on February 24, and two men have been charged with his murder.
As police investigate his death, those who knew Connor rallied around his loved ones, who described the promising boxer as the “life and soul” of his close group of friends.
Connor’s parents, who live in Sunderland, say the response has helped them cope as they struggle to come to terms with the indescribable pain of losing their “one in a million” son.
“Without the kindness shown by people, we would have crumbled,” they said in a statement.
“The community has really kept us going. We’ve received letters and cards from all over the country, even from people we don’t know, who have expressed their sorrow and passed on their nice words. We can’t thank everyone enough.
“Connor’s death has touched the hearts of so many people and Sunderland has really come together over the last couple of weeks. It’s reminded us of the kindness of people – the North East does have a heart.
“It’s been overwhelming – everything from being inside the stadium to the balloon release and the minute’s silence in Illusions nightclub last weekend. Connor won’t have believed it – he’ll be laughing and smiling as he always did.
“We’d just like to thank everybody – his friends, the community, Sunderland Football Club – anyone and everyone who has shown such warmth and kindness towards us at such a difficult time. We’ll be forever grateful.”
The city has paid tribute to Connor in a number of ways. There was a minute’s applause at Stadium of Light as thousands of Black Cats supporters got on their feet and chanted “One Connor Brown” during Sunderland’s home game against Plymouth Argyle.
A picture of the aspiring boxer was displayed on screens at the ground and fans could be seen wearing red T-shirts with his name on the back.
The moving tribute took place in the 18th minute of the game, as the youngster was just 18 years old when he died.
And, on March 3, nightclubs in the city held a minute’s silence at 1.28am.
Illusions fell silent while clubbers lit their phone torches as a mark of respect for the teenager. They then joined in singing along to “In Heaven” while Connor’s photo was shown on the big screen.
More than £27,000 has been raised to help Connor’s family cover funeral costs.
Almost two weeks after the fundrasing page was set up, more than 1,400 people have donated.
Among those was Sunderland-born footballer Jordan Henderson, who pledged £2,500. And Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby urged her followers to give anything they could to his family and called on them to attend a charity football match being held today at 1.30pm on the football ground behind Donkin’s Pub in Silksworth.
Meanwhile, streets in Sunderland city centre were filled with floral tributes following Connor’s tragic death.
One message read: “You were an amazing young lad with such a contagious smile and always full of mischief.”
Another heartbroken friend left a message saying Connor had a “heart of gold”.
A talented sportsman, Connor received tributes from many of the people who had trained and played with him.
A spokesperson for Seaburn Football Club, where he played, called him an “amazing lad on and off the pitch” who “all of us here loved”, while Connor’s former boxing coach at Plains Farm Amateur Boxing Club described him as a “great lad”.