THE HEARTBROKEN families of the six Philpott children made emotional pilgrimages to their graves yesterday to see their newly-installed headstones for the first time.
The children's tearful grandmother, Peggy Philpott, said the three-foot-high grey slate stones were "beautiful" and "a credit to whoever carved them".
And their grandfather, Jim Duffy, said seeing the stones for the first time, only two hours after they were put in place, was "emotional" and that he felt "relief they are finally here".
Workers put in the headstone at Nottingham Road Cemetery, in Chaddesden, early yesterday morning – 14 months after the youngsters died in a house fire at 18 Victory Road. Allenton.
Mrs Philpott, 86, of Arkwright Street, Allenton, was taken to the gravesides in her wheelchair by family members. She spent time gazing at each headstone.
She said: "They're absolutely beautiful. I couldn't have done them better if I'd picked them myself. They are a credit to whoever did them. I just wish they were not here but that can't happen, can it?"
Mr Duffy, 64, of Reginald Street, Derby, went to see the headstones with his daughters, Bernadette, Jennifer and his former wife, Vera.
He said: "The last 12 to 15 months have been a nightmare so seeing the headstones here finally is a great relief. They look absolutely fantastic, are a real tribute to my grandchildren."
Jade Philpott, 10 and her brothers Duwayne, 13, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, all died following a fire at their Allenton home in May last year.
Their parents, Mick Philpott, 56, and Mairead Philpott, 31, along with family friend Paul Mosley, 46, were found guilty of the children's manslaughter following an eight-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court in April this year. Philpott was given a life sentence, while his wife and Mosley were jailed for 17 years.
In the aftermath of the fire the community in Allenton, Derby and beyond dug deep to raise more than £15,000 to pay for the funeral and the headstones for the graves.
The money was donated to a charity called the DJs Trust, which was set up by the Osmaston Community Association of Residents – Oscar – which is based in Addison Road.
Jennifer Lobban, 30, is Mr Duffy's daughter and the sister of Mairead Philpott.
Yesterday, at the graveside, she said of the headstones: "They are beautiful, really beautiful, a real credit to the children and a fitting tribute. It was really emotional seeing them for the first time."
Mr Duffy said: "All of us would like to thank Oscar, the people of Allenton, Derby and all around the country and further for donating the money to make this a reality. We are very, very grateful."
Each of the six headstones carries a eulogy individual to the children. Set in grey, mottled, marble and embossed with a photograph of each child, the writing for the boys is in blue and pink for 10-year-old Jade, described as "a beautiful and creative girl".
Jesse is "bouncy". John is "caring" and Duwayne is called "talented".
Jack is called "shy" while Jayden is the "miracle" baby.
Each of the boy's headstones carries a picture of a Derby County footballer.
Leigh Alcock, the chairman of Oscar who set up DJs Trust to pay for the headstones, said: "As the headstones were paid for back in June 2012, it is good to finally see them set, for closure for the family, community and of course the DJs Trust."
Mr Duffy said he has written to Mairead. He said: "I wrote to her in an attempt to start rebuilding the relationship I used to have with her.
"I have mentioned nothing about the fire or the trial, it is just me as a father trying to rebuild things again.
"She has written back to me to say she have moved from one prison to another and that she is coping ok."
