Poignant farewell to popular Damien

"HE was the lad that lit up the Grange."

Friends, relatives and teachers came together to remember popular teenager Damien Wilkins in an emotional ceremony.

As reported, Hereford School pupil Damien, 16, died on Sunday, September 27, at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.

He suffered from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a condition which creates highly fragile blood vessels, weak cushioning around vital organs, brittle skin and means that any wounds take a long time to heal.

Tears from friends at the ceremony to remember popular teenager Damien Wilkins.

Yesterday, more than a hundred people gathered on the playing fields off Grimsby's Carnforth Crescent to pay their respects, before a game of football was played in his memory.

Amanda Regan, Damien's head of year at Hereford School, said: "Damien was a very popular member of his age group, and it is absolutely brilliant that his friends have organised all of this for him. They also want to do some fundraising in school in his memory."

Damien's friends released balloons bearing heartfelt messages into the air, and read out tributes to the boy who "was loved by everyone".

Jennifer Watson, 14, said: "Texts started going round school saying there was a tribute to Damo. It's good because we can all share our memories of him, and this is where he used to play football all the time.

"Damo was amazing. He was like a little brother to everyone, and always made everyone laugh."

Catherine Milligan, 14, said: "Every time you saw him he always had a smile on his face. He made the Grange what it is. It's not going to be the same without him."

Becky Mair, 14, wrote a poem in tribute to Damien, which described him as "one in a trillion".

She said: "He was one of my brother's best friends and was like a brother to me. I will miss his cheeky smile."

Alice Clark, 14, said: "He was the lad that lit up the Grange. You could go round the world and not meet anyone like Damo."

Joshua Denford, 13, said: "There was not one person who he didn't get along with. It's not going to be the same without him."

James Ballard, 13, said: "He was funny, he was kind, he was like my brother. He was everything to me."

Damien's girlfriend Danielle Finn, 14, said: "I fell in love with Damo as soon as I met him. He was funny, kind-hearted and always made me smile."

Damien's  mum Wendy was touched by the sheer number of people who turned out to pay tribute to her son.

She said: "He was loved by everyone and that's been shown by the turnout today. I want to say thank you to everyone who has come along. It's brilliant for him to be remembered in this way."

Pay tribute to Damien Wilkins at our Lasting Tribute website