Devastated friends and family have launched fundraising appeals in memory of a Birmingham teenager found stabbed to death near a children’s playground .
Harun Jama, who was 16 and from Sparkhill , was knifed in the stomach, leg and chest in Oxford on January 3.
His childhood friend and neighbour, Jamal Madar, described Harun as a “teenager with the biggest, whitest smile”.
Jamal, who is studying a Masters in Pharmacy at Keele University, is behind a fundraising drive to build two wells in Ghana in his memory.
More than £500 has been donated so far.
Posting on his JustGiving page, he said: “At such an innocent and tender age he had his life snatched away from him.
“He’s a local lad who lived in Sparkhill, the people who know him only speak highly of him.
“Our community lost an angel. An angel by the name of Harun Jama.
“A 16-year-old Somali teenager with the biggest, whitest smile unjustly taken away from us.
“Our little bro is in no doubt in a better place.
“We are raising money to build wells in Ghana in a community that is suffering from water poverty.”
Jamal said his friend was a “kind, respectful and humble teenager who was loved among the whole community”.
He said: “He would always help his mother with whatever she asked of him and he had the best of characters towards his friends and especially elders. Harun Jama was unjustly killed at such a tender age.”
Further tributes were paid by Harun’s friend Amelia Coates who urged well-wishers to help pay for his funeral.
The heartbroken teen took to Facebook to ask friends and relatives to donate to a GoFundMe appeal.
More than £1,000 has been raised to date.
Amelia said: “I’m aware a lot of my friends and family took him in as part of their family too and loved him as much as I did.
“It’s so horrific and everyone who knew him knew he didn’t deserve this in the slightest.”
Harun had previously helped with a golf charity fundraising day and Amelia praised his generosity.
“He helped caddie during the Macmillan Golf Day and also came to the auction where he dressed up as a Ninja Turtle and ran around handing out prizes.
“Not knowing the people we were doing this for, he still wanted to help and shortly after he quickly became a part of the family.
“Anyone who meet him smiled or laughed after having a conversation with him because thats the way he was.
“He was a clean-hearted, bubbly young boy who had his whole life ahead of him.”
A host of further tributes posted on social media were paid to the much-loved teenager.
Mark Coates said: “Such a kind-mannered and intelligent youngster, with a promising life ahead, taken way too soon.
“Can’t believe there is such hatred and cruelty in the world. The last time I saw him, he was playing football with my brothers, cousins, and nephews. Rest in peace Harun.”
Louise Waldron added: “He was such a lovely natured boy. Rest in peace Harun x.”
And Chan Morris posted: “Nice lad. So polite. Gone way too soon.”
Craig Ford, 33, of Luther Street, Oxford, has been charged with murder and has been remanded in custody.
He is also accused of robbery, possession of a bladed article and two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Alice Ashcroft, 25, also of Luther Street, has been charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Both defendants will appear in court on February 9.
