Tyler Garwood was just 14 years old when he contracted meningitis and sadly passed away in April 2016
The teenager from Blakelaw, Newcastle was a keen footballer playing for both Gosforth FC and Ponteland United, and it was during a football match playing the sport he loved, that he became ill.
After the first half of the game he started shivering and saying that he wasn’t feeling well. His symptoms were similar to the flu, so he went home to rest. Tyler’s symptoms became worse and an ambulance was called, but sadly it was too late to save him and he died a few hours later.
Sarah Holmes-Carne, the principal of Kenton School where Tyler was a pupil in Year 9, said in a statement at the time: "It is with deep sadness we have to announce the sudden death of a Year 9 pupil.”
Paying tribute
Friends of Tyler have set up a Facebook page in his memory and have organised several events and activities to pay tribute to their friend.
Firstly, everyone was encouraged to write ‘Tyler’ on their hand and share their pictures on the Facebook tribute page, which resulted in lots of great photos and messages being shared. Classmates were also encouraged to get blonde highlights in a tribute to Tyler’s unique style.
Silences were held before local football matches and friends were interviewed on local radio to pay tribute to their special friend.
A ‘football walk’ was arranged where everyone was encouraged to wear a football top, shorts, socks, scarf or hat – anything football related, and walk one and a half miles from Blakelaw to Newbiggen Hall in Newcastle.
Balloons and lanterns were released at the destination to celebrate Tyler’s life; creating a colourful, heart-warming tribute in the sky, to the popular schoolboy.
One of a kind
Friends of Tyler said: “Tyler was one of a kind. He never failed to put a smile on people’s faces and no matter what was happening Tyler always had a unique sense of humour, plus an even more unique taste in clothes!”
In tribute to Tyler his friends have also written and recorded an original song in his memory. Listen to the song and view the lovely tribute video here.
