Funeral of Northumberland teenager Charlie Pope takes place in Newcastle
By Kris Jepson
Friends of Northumberland student, Charlie Pope, have paid tribute to him at his funeral in Newcastle, calling the teenager an "extraordinary" person.
The 19-year-old Manchester University student, who was from Ponteland, died after falling into the Rochdale Canal in Manchester, while walking home following a night out.
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More than a hundred friends and family members paid their respects to Charlie, whose life was celebrated during an hour long service at the English Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Fenham.
All wore the colour yellow to mark the fact Charlie's favourite Coldplay song was Yellow. That song, along with others by Oasis and Radiohead were also played.
Charlie Pope was enjoying his first year of a social sciences degree and was planning for his future when he died. He had achieved three As for his A-Levels at Ponteland High School 6th Form.
His former headteacher, Kieran McGrane, told ITV News "It leaves a huge hole, because it brings back all the memories of the times that he was with us. He was very easy with everybody. He just had a lovely personality, very open to talking to people. That's my abiding memory of him. I can picture him now, coming past me with a smile on his face, having a quick chat and then he was on his way for his lunch".
Canal Safety Campaign
Charlie Pope's family and friends have started a campaign for better safety measures around canals and in particular for permanent barriers to be installed along the Manchester Canal. So far almost 47,000 people have signed to online petition.
Last night, Charlie's father, Nick Pope, thanked the signatories of the petition.
Earlier this month, temporary safety barriers were installed on the waterway.