More than 1,000 children remember tragic fellow pupil
A country village was shrouded in a veil of tears as more than 1,000 schoolchildren formed a guard of honour to remember a “model pupil” with an infectious smile.
Police kept traffic diverted from the centre of Uppermill as the funeral cortège bearing 12-year-old Tyrese Glasgow travelled slowly along High Street on Friday. Pupils from Saddleworth School, many in the Mossley youngster’s year, backed by more than 150 teachers and hundreds of villagers and business owners, stood in subdued, dignified silence to pay their respects.
The funeral procession through the village was led by Saddleworth South neighbourhood beat officer PC Lee Cullen.
He headed the vanguard as the cortège paused briefly at the school’s main gates watched by tearful parents and passers-by before moving on to the route through Uppermill.
PC Cullen, 49, has a son Joe in Year 9 at the school. His other son, Brad, has just completed sixth form.
He said:
Tyrese, who was found dying at his home in June, was taken to hospital but later died. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
And later, at the thronged funeral service at St James Church, Huddersfield Road, Oldham, there was added poignancy.
Because Rev Paul Plumpton who conducted the service, had also baptised Tyrese 12 years ago at the church.
The moving service itself was filled with glowing accolades to Tyrese from family and friends and emotional singing from his family and Saddleworth School choir with a rendition of “Wings” by Birdy.
Speaking at the service, Matthew Milburn, head teacher at Saddleworth School, told the hushed congregation:
Helen Bulmer, who has taught at the school since 1990 and retires later this month, said:
Tyrese was laid to rest at Greenacres Cemetery.Mourners were invited to join family and friends at St Anne’s rugby club, Oldham, in a celebration of his life.Meanwhile, an online fundraiser on Tyrese’s GoFundMe page has reached more than £6,000.Messages from the family say they are “absolutely speechless” and overwhelmed by the love and comfort shown for him.