More than 100 people have gathered to pay their respects to a 14-year-old boy who was killed in a sword attack on his way to school.
Daniel Anjorin died near his home in Hainault, northeast London, on 30 April in an attack which also left four people injured – including two police officers.
In the wake of the tragedy, Daniel’s family described him as “a wonderful child” who was “well loved” and “hard working”.
Adults and teenagers arrived at Jubilee Church in Ilford on Friday morning for Daniel’s funeral, with some bringing flowers with them.
Daniel’s family said the teenager will be “forever missed” in a statement posted on the church website.
They said: “Today, we laid our dear son Daniel to rest knowing that he is with the Lord, but he will be forever missed.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to all who have stood by us, sharing in our sorrow and offering solace. Your presence, both at the funeral and in spirit, has been a source of immense comfort.”
Pastor Tope Koleoso, who led Daniel Anjorin’s funeral service, said the Anjorin family has been a part of Jubilee Church for more than 15 years and Daniel was baptised there.
He said “The service today was befitting of Daniel in every way, because he was a gentle, spirited and just a peace-loving boy.
“So the service kind of captured that. It was a gentle moment. It was peaceful. And yet it was a celebration of Daniel’s life.”
He said people “from all walks of life” attended the service including people who had flown in from abroad, teachers and students from Daniel’s school, members of the church and the teenager’s youth group.
“It was great to have representatives from the school, teachers and students and just to hear how Daniel in school was brilliant and bright and responsive, obedient,” he said.
“He loved football, and Arsenal, thanks to them for the tribute they gave the other day that was appropriate and good. And so that’s who he was, he was about to take his grade six piano and so on. And so he was a fun loving and peaceful child.”
A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Daniel’s family has so far raised more than £150,000.
They have thanked the public for their support, saying it has been a “source of comfort and strength”.
They now plan to move house as a result of the trauma.
Daniel was a pupil at Bancroft’s private school in Woodford Green – also attended by Nottingham attack victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar.
Marcus Aurelio Monzo, 36, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national from Newham, east London, has been charged with Daniel’s murder along with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.
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