THE six young children who lost their lives in a devastating house fire exactly a year ago have been remembered today.
The family of the tragic Philpott children, school friends and members of the community gathered at a fun day which had been organised in memory of the youngsters.
Six white doves were released at the event, in Osmaston Park, to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy at Victory Road, in Allenton. And despite the bad weather, hundreds of people turned out to the event to show their support. Gill Studdard, one of the organisers, said she was "overwhelmed" by the number of people who attended. She said: "The aim is to provide a legacy for the children. "It's fantastic how mnay people turned out, especially with the rain." A group of family members and friends of the Philpott children arrived at Osmaston Park after finishing a 100-mile walk from Skegness. Kieron Duffy, uncle to the Philpott children, said the walk was "hard but worthwhile". He said: "It feels marvellous to have finished the walk. "It's been hard for everyone involved. The support has been amazing."
Tonight, the children's family priest, Father Alan Burbidge, will light six candles at St George's Catholic Church before leading a mass to remember each of their lives.
THIS WEEKEND IS ALL ABOUT THE FAMILY AND CITY REMEMBERING SIX LITTLE LIVES:A year ago, a family and the city were devastated by the awful deaths of the six Philpott children. Today, the community and the youngsters' family will commemorate their lives, reports Martin Naylor.
"WE will keep remembering long after days have gone...
"That the love and laughter we shared together will always live on."
The poignant words of the family of the six Philpott children capture their determination to make this, the first anniversary of their death, all about the youngsters.
The memorial notice, placed by the family in the Derby Telegraph today, is reproduced with their permission (below right).
The children will be remembered in a family fun day in the city today.
And tonight, at a special service, their family priest, Father Alan Burbidge, will lead prayers for the children, Duwayne, 13, Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five.
Six candles will be lit in church as the children's family and the whole community remembers. The mass will be at 6pm at St George's Catholic Church in Village Street, Normanton, where the family worshipped.
Father Burbidge also led the service at the children's funeral in June last year when the city came to a standstill to pay tribute.
He said of tonight's service: "The mass will be in memory of the six Philpott children. Prayers will be said and we will be remembering their young lives.
"I will say a piece about each of the children who are in heaven in the eternal life we believe they are living as Christians and Catholics.
"We will also say prayers for the extended family – such as the Duffy family – who, along with many family members and people in the community, are still feeling."
Jim Duffy, the children's grandfather, has joined other members of the family, as well as friends, in a walk in memory of the children which will end at the fun day today.
The youngsters are buried at Nottingham Road cemetery, in Chaddesden, but the headstones carrying their names are yet to be erected.
A date is yet to be set for when they will be put up but Mr Duffy has previously explained that they will carry dedications from their grandparents.
Patricia Hurd is the head teacher at St George's Catholic Voluntary Academy, which is in Littleover and is where the five youngest children studied.
She said: "The last 12 months have been quite difficult for the school at times.
"When so many children are lost from one school, it is almost impossible for their lives not to have touched almost everyone here.
"At the beginning of the school year, we held a Mass and used the opportunity to dedicate a prayer to the children.
"Since then we have periodically attended Mass and dedicated a prayer to them each time. The most recent was on St George's Day, April 23."
Mrs Hurd said that quite a few of the children were quite upset after the most recent Mass.
She said: "Emotions are still quite raw for some of the children so we always need to be careful how much we expose them to tragedy.
"We took the decision not to do anything specific in school to mark the anniversary of the children's deaths.
"Instead, we are supporting the Mass later today in St George's Church when our pupils will have the chance to attend with their families if they wish.
"Staff from the school will be attending. We felt this was the best way of marking the anniversary, especially as it does not fall on a school day."
The school still has a student counsellor attending to help any children who are overcome by the tragedy.
In the meantime, the school has continued to work on plans for a memorial garden to the children.
Mrs Hurd said: "We have been using the school council leaders from each class to co-ordinate ideas for how the garden should look.
"It seems now that it will be a circular design with a section marked by a bench commemorating each of the Philpott children.
"Our pupils knew them best and so they were the best people to ask what designs we should have. So it's likely it will all be colour-coded according to the favourite colours of the children."
The school is working with Groundwork Derby to secure funding for the garden and a location within the school grounds is being decided.
It is likely to be fairly near to the school entrance so that the public can access it more easily, rather than being tucked away at the back of the school.
Mrs Hurd admits the bad weather has delayed the project but said there was never a time scale attached to completing it
She added: "Obviously, we would like to get it done as soon as possible but we want to get it right.
"The Philpott children were lovely to be with and know. No one had a harsh word to say about them.
"Their deaths were a terrible tragedy and we are doing our best to preserve their memories in the most sensitive and tender way we can."
The group of 12 walkers, led by Mr Duffy are aiming to finish a 100-mile long walk from Skegness at the fun day at Osmaston Park.
The group are all family members or Allenton residents and said they felt they need to take on the challenge after the community was so affected by the tragedy.
The fund-raising event is called The Long Walk Home.
One of the walkers is Jeannie Donnan, who knew all of them well.
She said: "Today has to be about the children and nothing else. Now the first anniversary is here we hope the community can finally put the tragedy behind us and find some amount of closure."
Another of the walkers, 35-year-old Keiron Duffy, is the uncle of the children. He said: "Our aim is to arrive at the fun day in time to enjoy some of the celebrations.
"I hope everyone joins in the celebratory theme that is the reason for the event."
THE FAMILY'S POIGNANT TRIBUTE TO CHILDRENDWAYNE, Jade, Jack, John, Jesse and Jayden
We will see you by the ocean.
We will see you where the waves pound.
We will hear you when We listen as the soft wind blows.
We will see you in the moonlight.
We will see you in every star.
We will see you wherever We wander, no matter how near or far.
And We will keep on looking, and We will keep on listening.
And We will keep remembering long after days have gone...
That the love and laughter we shared together will always live on.
Sleep in Peace our Angels,
Love
David, Richard, Michaela, Aidan and Mickey X X X X X X
Read about how city's mayor and children's MP urged families to visit tribute day, which will see six doves released here