A fund set up to support the mother of gun-victim Shereka Marsh has already raised over £4,000.
The popular 15-year-old schoolgirl, who was due to take her GCSEs this summer, died on Saturday, March 15, after being shot in the neck at a house in Eastway, Hackney Wick.
The prefect from Urswick School in Paragon Road, Hackney Central, who had been shopping earlier that day at Westfield in Stratford, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A online page on charity website Just Giving aiming to raise £9,000 for her funeral and to support her grief stricken mother has already seen donations take the total past the half way mark.
It was set up by The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers – one of the oldest livery companies of the City of London which supports The Urswick School through its Cordwainers’ Charities arm. Shereka had been chosen to show the Jamaican High Commissioner, Aloun Ndombet-Assamb, around her school just two weeks before her tragic death.
John Miller from Cordwainers has written: “This appeal for funds is in the name of the school and the High Commissioner.
“We need to give her a funeral service to be proud of. This appeal is to raise funds for her funeral and to support her mother in the next few months.
“Shereka was due to take her GCSEs this summer and celebrate her 16th birthday in July. Her mother, other family members, her friends and the wider community remain devastated by her loss. Shereka will not live the life she dreamed of as a successful businesswoman. Our rich and happy memories of her cannot be taken away.”
Her friends at Urswick School have been left devastated, and politicians, teachers and even the Jamaican High Commissioner have expressed sadness and disbelief at her death.
Deputy head girl at The Urswick School, Dina Loufimpou, 16, said: “This is a big opportunity for us to show Shereka’s mum that she is not on her own and that we are here to support her.”
Senior prefect, Canicia Charlery, 16, added: “Nobody wants to bury their child and this is a very hard time for Shereka’s mum, but we are all here to support her.”
A book of remembrance has been placed in the school, and students, staff and parents have been sharing their memories and thoughts of Shereka.
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with her murder. He was due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday.
To donate go to http://www.justgiving.com/cordwainer-shereka.
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