Community unites for Danny Fernandes' funeral

A whole community was brought together on Friday in an emotional farewell to popular Harrow teenager Danny Fernandes, who died three weeks ago.

An incredible 700 people packed into St Michael and All Angels Church, in Bishop Ken Road, for the teen's funeral, with others coming to the crematorium later on.

Friends read out heartfelt tributes and poems to the 19-year-old, and his older sister Lucy, 21, paid her respects with a tearful rendition of Danny Boy.

Speaking after the ceremony his mum, Patricia, showed her gratitude to the many who came to give their support.

She said: "I know it was difficult for people to get up and say what they did about Danny and I know that Lucy didn't think she would be able to sing. But I'm glad they did because it was very touching.

"It sounds strange, but if a funeral could be described as wonderful that's what it was. I think it was a great tribute to young people, who often get heavily criticised, to see them all in one room paying their respects. It really did bring so many people together."

Since Danny was killed by a train at Headstone Lane train station three weeks ago, his family has been inundated with messages from friends. The corner outside NatWest bank, on the junction of High Road and Long Elmes, just yards from his home in Long Elmes, has been flooded with flowers and gifts.

Groups on internet social networking sites like Facebook have had as many as 2,000 people pay tribute to the former Hatch End High School pupil, and the testimonies continued from the hundreds who knew him on Friday.

Patricia added: "The amount of people who turned up was absolutely amazing, we were totally blown away.

"As a family we knew Danny was a lovely boy and a nice kid but it has been comforting to see that everyone else was lucky enough to find that out too.

"Hearing people's tributes to him and listening to the number of people who thought so highly of him has been an enormous help to me and those memories feel like the glue that's keeping me together.

"Danny was a complete free spirit and I know he is still beside us all. He is probably being typically Danny-like, trying to help everyone, and I can still feel him with me."