A community will come together this evening to honour Tomasz Oleszak, 14 after he was stabbed in a North East park earlier this week.
A vigil will be held for Tomasz at the Springwell Community Centre on Lanchester Avenue at 7:30pm tonight.
The young schoolboy died in hospital after an incident at Whitehills Nature Park in Gateshead in the early hours of Tuesday morning, despite the best efforts of medics.
Residents of Aycliffe Crescent spoke of their heartbreak and how it has had a terrible effect on the community.
Read more: Boy, 14, charged with murder of Tomasz Oleszak
Arron, 26, who is a resident of Aycliffe Crescent, said: "A lot of people around here are scared to let their children play out in the streets now. It's just absolutely heartbreaking for their family and the little boy."
Gary Menges, 56, said: "It's the first time we've seen it [like this] around here. It's just so sad, a 14-year-old kid."
Lisa Loan, 39, who runs the Springwell Community Centre, said she believes the vigil will be an opportunity to bring the community together.
She also praised the community online for its strength in response to such an awful situation.
She has invited people to leave tributes for Tomasz and his family, and encouraged people to bring flowers, teddies and cards to celebrate his life.
On Tuesday, Northumbria Police confirmed it had been made aware of a teenager who had been seriously injured in the Aycliffe Crescent area of the Springwell Estate at 8pm.
After they attended, they found Tomasz, who had suffered had suffered an injury consistent with having been caused by a bladed article.
He was taken to hospital where, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he sadly passed away.
Read more: Gateshead incident: Aycliffe Crescent residents left shocked by stabbing
Northumbria Police have confirmed detectives investigating the incident which saw Tomasz die have now charged a 14-year-old boy with his murder.
The teenager, who was initially arrested on Tuesday, was also charged with attempted wounding and possession of a bladed article.
Tributes have poured out to Tomasz and his family from the community, including his football coaches, his headteacher, and residents of Aycliffe Crescent.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20221003-0995. You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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