Tribute to ensure Rhys Jones is not forgotten

Sep 18 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Tribute to ensure Rhys is not forgotten

THE parents of murdered 11-year-old Rhys Jones said they were confident their son’s killer would be brought to justice.

Stephen and Melanie Jones spoke as they opened an adventure playground dedicated to the memory of their football-loving son at his former school in Norris Green.

A plaque was unveiled at the new £35,000 play area at Broad Square Primary, engraved with the words: “In Loving Memory of Rhys Jones, 1995-2007”.

Mr and Mrs Jones, who buried their son 12 days ago following a funeral service attended by hundreds at Liverpool Cathedral, cut a blue ribbon at the opening ceremony.

Pupils, parents and head teacher Elaine Spencer looked on as Rhys’s Year 6 school friends then tested out the playground.

The young Everton fan was shot in the neck as he walked home from playing football in Croxteth Park on August 22.

Mrs Jones, 41, said: “The playground is amazing – the best we were hoping for.

“When the school said they were doing this, we were really pleased. They have pulled out all the stops. Rhys would have loved it and that is why it is a special moment.”

Mr Jones, 44, added: “We have full confidence in the police and know progress will be made soon. Rhys won’t be forgotten.”

Current pupils at the school were joined by five of Rhys’s friends, 11-year-olds Connor Irwin, James Rigby, Daniel O’Brien, Ross Greenwood and George Styern, who have now started high school.

James, who goes to Fazak-erley High, said: “He was a great football player, the best in the school. It isn’t right in our new school without him.

“We all have a laugh but it is hard to laugh without him – it isn’t the same. He used to make me laugh a lot.”

Ross said: “He would have been on the playground all the time, if he wasn’t playing football. It was either adventure playground or football. We wish he was here to enjoy it with us. We all miss him. It is weird now he has gone.”

Headteacher Elaine Spencer said: “We were already having a playground built, but decided to dedicate it to Rhys so that the children will remember him for the bundle of fun he was.

“He was always running around and I know he would have been the first to try the new area.

“I remember him playing football, running around with his friends. He was a joy to watch – we all miss him terribly. But we do not want the children to be sad – we want them to remember him and this is a way of making sure they never forget him.”

Merseyside Police have arrested 17 people as part of the investigation into Rhys’s murder.

Twelve people have been bailed and a further five released without charge.

lizawilliams@dailypost.co.uk