A FIGHT robe signed by world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury is be draped over the coffin of a teenager who died from stab wounds.

The green and yellow robe will adorn the horse and carriage carrying Jack Woodley before he is laid to rest next week.

The 18-year-old, from Newton Aycliffe, died from injuries he suffered during an altercation as he made his way from the fun fair at Houghton Feast with his girlfriend last month.

The Northern Echo:

Jack was a huge fan of boxing champion Tyson Fury

His mother, Zoey McGill, did not realise when she ordered the robe it, rather chillingly, includes the name of Fury’s management company, Mack the Knife Global.

Mrs McGill said Jack had been inspired by Fury’s book and was huge fan of the controversial fighter known as the Gypsy King.

Read more: County Durham school closed after bin lorry accident

She said: “The robe is important to me because Jack read the Tyson Fury book religiously. He was very inspired by him.”

The signed robe, which cost £420 and was paid for with an online fundraiser started by Jack’s friend, Leon Beattie, from Houghton, will be framed after the service and he will be buried with a replica.

The Northern Echo:

Zoey McGill with her husband Chris 

Mrs McGill is campaigning to raise awareness of the danger of young people carrying knives and would like Tyson Fury to support it.

She said: “I think a lot of youngsters look up to Tyson Fury. Jack Idolised him.

“They look up to the sport of boxing, which Jack loved as a kid. All he ever talked about was Tyson Fury. He used to talk to his little brother about him.

“I did not know much about Tyson Fury until Jack passed and then I saw all of the things he had about him and what he had read.

“I know boxing is a sport some people are against, but it is a way of putting your energy into something and not going around on the streets.

“Look at what Tyson Fury has achieved. Jack certainly thought he was a good person.”

The Northern Echo:

Jack Woodley

Jack died after suffering fatal injuries near the Britannia Inn, on Newbottle Street, Houghton-le-Spring, at 9.30pm on Saturday October 16.

Eight teenagers aged 14 to 17 have been charged with murder and a trial date of March 1 has been fixed at Newcastle Crown Court.

Mrs McGill, who had to sell her car to pay for Jack’s funeral, has now raised almost £3,500 to creating a memorial for her son near the spot where he was fatally wounded.

This moving video released by the family shows Mrs McGill grieving the loss of Jack in the days after he died. She is near the spot where he was fatally attacked and has lit candles in his memory.

Mrs McGill also hopes to raise £1,000 for the unit at the RVI in Newcastle where staff tried so hard to save Jack and £1,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Family and friends are leaving at Mrs McGill’s home in Tunstall Road, Newton Aycliffe, at 9.45am December 9 and heading to the for the service at St Andrew’s Church in Aycliffe Village at 10.15am.

Mrs McGill said: “It is going to be at the church where he was christened.

“We have got a baby blue coffin and horse and carriage for him.

“It is going to be a powerful day when he is laid to rest.

“Jack had a heart of gold. I don’t want him ever to be forgotten.”

To support Mrs McGill’s online charity fundraising campaign click here 

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