Rhys Jones’ parents to open playground in his memory

Sep 15 2007 by Deborah James, Liverpool Daily Post

THE parents of murdered 11-year-old Rhys Jones will open a playground dedicated to the memory of their son.

Melanie and Stephen Jones will open the new £35,000 adventure playground at Rhys’s former school, Broad Square Primary, on Monday.

The couple will join their son’s friends and teachers at a special remembrance ceremony to declare the playground open, and unveil a plaque containing a tribute, with the words: “In Loving Memory of Rhys Jones, 1995-2007.”

They will also visit a tree that has been planted in the school grounds in Rhys’s memory by classmates. The ceremony will be attended by the whole school.

Mr and Mrs Jones will then cut the ribbon to open the playground before Year 6 pupils, many of whom were close friends with Rhys, will be the first to use it.

Officers investigating the shooting of Rhys as he walked home from football practice on August 22 have arrested 17 people, but no-one has yet been charged.