WELL-WISHERS travelled from across the North West to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the parents of murdered youngster Rhys Jones yesterday.

Walk For Rhys is one of three events that have been organised 12 months on from the tragic death of the young Everton fan, and part of the Daily Post-backed Liverpool Unites against gun crime.

Concert For Rhys and Run For Rhys, on September 14, are helping to raise thousands of pounds for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund which will build a community centre in memory of the youngster.

But yesterday was simply a show of unity and support for his family.

Melanie Jones, Rhys’s mother, gave a touching tribute to the mass of walkers.

She said: “Stephen, Rhys’s father, and I are totally overwhelmed by this continued support from the public. It is great that this walk is encompassing both Everton and Liverpool grounds, uniting the city.”

Children and families clad in the red and blue of the city’s two clubs joined hands as they made their way together from St George’s Plateau to Anfield and Goodison Park.

At Goodison, fans observed a minute’s silence before the Z Cars Johnny Todd theme was played.

Liverpool fans Mick and Lisa Hegarty drove to Liverpool from Preston with their two sons Connor, 12, and Jake, 10, to show their support for the Jones family.

Mrs Hegarty said: “If we parents don’t get out on things like this and teach our children about what’s right, then how are they to know?

“My mother lives round the corner from where it happened and it really could have happened to anyone, anywhere, so I hope this walk will help.”

Close by, Everton supporters Sian and Andrew Cassy, of Colwyn Bay, walked with Evie, 3.

Mr Cassy said: “We just want to show the family it’s not been forgotten. It beggars belief that it happened, and I don’t think it’s asking too much to take a couple of hours to do a walk for them.”

Event organiser Steven Galloway said the walk showed a determination never to let the tragedy be repeated.

Former players Ronnie Goodlass, of Everton, and Howard Gale, of Liverpool, were among the walkers, and both spoke of the need to never forget. Mr Goodlass paid tribute to the unity of fans in red and blue who had come together in the wake of the death.

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