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GoFundMe set up in memory of 14-year-old Luke Howe raises over £40,000 for his school

Such awful news but the Greater Manchester community are doing their utmost to pay tribute.

Danny Jones - 22nd January 2024

A fundraiser set up in memory of Luke Howe, a local teen from Trafford whose body was tragically found dead in a nearby river over the weekend, has already raised well over £40,000 for his school.

Luke, 14, went missing after school on Thursday, 18 January, with Greater Manchester Police issuing a massive appeal to help find him. However, his body was sadly recovered from the River Bollin in Hale the following day and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was deceased at the scene.

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and GMP issued their deepest condolences to “Luke’s loved ones, his friends and family in what is a truly awful time”, stressing the importance they be given privacy at this time.

A Luke Howe memorial fundraiser was set up in the immediate aftermath by his aunt, Jessica Howe, with the family agreeing that all donations would go directly to his school, Brentwood Community College in Sale, known for its excellent standard of special education.

Writing in the description of the fundraiser, Jessica said: “As I’m sure so many of you are aware now, our beloved nephew/son/brother/grandson/friend Luke Howe was tragically found dead today.

“Speaking with his sister, Lydia, we want to focus now on doing something positive in Luke’s name and we have decided we would love to fundraise for his school, Brentwood College…

“Brentwood is an outstanding school for SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] pupils with additional needs and we are hoping to fundraise for new soft play for the school for anyone who would like to contribute as, in his sister’s words, there was nothing he loved more.

“If there is anything you can spare to help this school that did so much for Luke, we’d be forever grateful”. Since the GoFundMe went live over the weekend, more than £40k in donations has been raised for the school, with the funds going towards a new soft play area which he loved so much and deeply missed during lockdown.

luke howe fundraiser — The teen was described as the ‘biggest character’.

lydia howe tribute to brother luke — The teen was described as the ‘biggest character’.

Posting an update and a link to the page following the overwhelming reaction of love, support and people paying their respects, Jessica wrote on Facebook, “Lydia and I had a moment last night when we looked at each other and couldn’t believe what you have all helped us achieve in 24 hours.

“Words will never express it. Please, please, please keep the efforts going… In the meantime though, I’m off to go focus on the family. Only love xxxxx”

Speaking to the BBC, she went on to describe him as an “incredible young man” and “the greatest people person” who simply “loved happiness and joy”, adding that the response to the fundraiser has been “amazing” and that “people can be incredible in the darkest times”.

She signed off by stating, “If there’s something good that can come out of this for an incredible school that does so many amazing things for other children with similar challenges to our Luke, that will be something that will sustain us through.”

Our thoughts are with everyone near and dear to Luke and if you would like to donate to the Luke Howe fundraiser, you can do so HERE. Rest in peace.

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Featured Images — Family Handouts/GMP