Sheffield memorial for '˜super special' George who died in sleep

George Parsons passed away during Christmas night and was found by his mum on Boxing Day morning. He was just 14 and the cause of his death is not known.

Now a whole community is uniting to raise funds for a memorial ‘touchstone’ in memory of George, at Heeley Millennium Park.

Friends and family have already found a number of ways to celebrate the young rugby player’s life and are urging others to get involved.

Newfield School, where George was a pupil, created the George Parsons’ personality of the year award. The trophy is to awarded to someone who has similar traits to George – humour, kindness, and generosity of spirit.

George was also named 2015 Scout Of The Year by his group, 74th Oak Street and the award has now been renamed in his honour.

George’s mum Vicky said she, and his dad George Symmonds, would never forget the support the family had been shown in so many ways.

“There have been some wonderful gestures from the community and I am very humbled by their kindness,” she said.

“If George could have stayed with us through sheer expressions of love and kindness, he’d be here still.

“If kindness and love for others is his legacy, then his life will not have been in vain.”

Fundraising for the memorial will get under way with a mammoth jumble sale at Oak Street Scout Hut in Heeley from 10.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday, April 9.

Tracey Guymer, who is helping to organise the event, said so many people had been deeply saddened by George’s death and wanted to help.

“We just really want to do something which will show how well loved George was but also how much our thoughts are with Vicky and will remain so,” Tracey said.

“George’s funeral highlighted for me how incredibly highly thought of George was by so many people. I knew he was super special but I didn’t realise everyone else knew that too.”

Joanne Rockett, another fundraiser, said the close knit community was still reeling from the devastating loss.

“We wanted to do something, to support one another, to try to help Vicky with her wanting a memorial for George in Heeley Millennium Park.

“It will be a lovely place for the community and for Vicky to be able to go and be quiet and reflect.

“People have been incredibly generous with their time, their interest and their donations.

“The jumble is going to be on a massive scale. People want to help, to do their bit and show that they care and that we are thinking of George and his mum and dad.

“Friends and work colleagues have donated jumble, and if they haven’t got jumble they have been giving money to put towards the memorial fund.

“The 74th Oak Street Scouts have given us their hut to use as the venue, we have been given a van and driver to assist with the leftover jumble afterwards and we will be taking the jumble to a Barnados charity shop. Everyone is just being amazing.”

n Anyone who wants to donate jumble is asked to take it to the scout hut between 1pm and 4.30pm on Friday, April 8, or on the morning of the event. Donations of cakes and biscuits are also welcome.