Friends of a murdered teenager have pleaded to others not to carry a knife “as the consequences will be devastating”.
Charlie Cosser died in hospital days after being stabbed at a party in Warnham, near Horsham, last Sunday.
The 17-year-old’s friends paid tribute to him and said: “Charlie’s bright presence and aura have been cruelly robbed from us.
“He was always making us all laugh at any moment, something that few people are able to do. He loved going out with his friends and was very keen on his football.
“We will all cherish the fond memories we have of him forever. We all find comfort in knowing that he will watch over us from the highest spot in heaven.”
They also urged other young people not to carry a knife and said: “The consequences will be devastating before you even realise what you have caused.
“You not only ruin the victim’s life, as well as their friends and family, but also yours.
A fundraiser set up in Charlie’s memory by his friends has raised more than £10,000 for Lives Not Knives, a youth charity dedicated to tackling knife crime.
“We do not wish for Charlie’s death to be in vain, and we will all strive each and every day to make him proud,” Charlie’s friends said.
The crowdfunder can be found on GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/fh4c4-knife-crime.
In a family tribute, mum Tara, dad Martin and siblings Adam and Eloise said their lives have been “destroyed by the tragic and unnecessary loss”.
They said: “He was the most caring, cheeky, loving son and brother we could have ever wished for, and we cannot imagine a life without him.
“His ridiculously silly sense of humour will be deeply missed by everyone that knew and loved him.”
The family also thanked emergency services and staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for their care towards Charlie, who was from Milford in Surrey.
A 16-year-old boy from Chessington, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded guilty to Charlie’s murder.
He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on September 11.
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