Bereft school friends and their parents tell of sorrow at death of Lambeth 20-year-old Harvey Parker in the Thames
More than £72,000 has been raised in memory of student Harvey Parker, whose body was pulled from the River Thames more than two weeks after he disappeared.
The 20-year-old, from Lambeth, was last seen leaving Heaven nightclub by Charing Cross station, in the early hours of 17 December. He had spent the evening before at a Little Simz concert at Brixton Academy.
His parents Amanda and Titus Parker had appealed for people who had been at each to come forward in the hope of finding what had happened to him. But his body was found on Thursday January 4 by the Met Police’s Marine Support Unit. His death is being treated as unexplained.
Mr Parker’s friends and family said they had set up the crowd fundraiser “for people like Harvey”.
The page added: “Money raised will go to young queer support groups, neurodiverse and gender-diverse young people who would benefit from emotional or mental health support, and help support talented musicians from under-represented communities.”
“We want to send our thanks to everyone who can help us to support these causes, as a way to not only celebrate Harvey’s life but to keep the memory of our beautiful Harvey alive.”
The day before the University of York student went missing he had spent the afternoon at an escape room with his family, before heading off to Brixton Academy. He then went to the nightclub at about midnight.
Mr Parker’s body was discovered in the Thames near to Embankment, Westminster.
Images released last week had shown him on Craven Street, before he walked south towards Embankment.
Derwent College, part of the University of York, was one of the donors, contributing £309.
Friend Emiily Hassan, who added £100, said: “I will miss you so much Harvey. You were talented, popular, fun to be around and most of all, a genuinely kind person. RIP, and sending all my love to your family.”
Lucianne Kaye, donating £50, said: “A kind and wonderful person has been lost.You are always loved and never forgotten.”
An anonymous donor added: “An amazing musician but more importantly an amazing friend. You will be missed dearly Harvey.”
Maxine and Josephine S said: “Such devastating news, so very sorry for your loss Amanda and Titus, we remember Harvey as a gifted, jolly and gentle soul, may his legacy endure.”
Mark and Antonia Easton, adding £40, said: “We all remember your beautiful smile and exquisite music from many Westminster concerts. So very, very sorry. Mark, Antonia, Annis and Ed.”
A £250 donor added: “We can’t begin to know what you are going through. Harvey was clearly very special and touched many lives. Our deepest sympathy to you all.”
And Rakie Ayola, who gave £100, said: “Dear Amanda, thinking of you and all who knew and loved Harvey. Thank you for allowing us to help you keep Harvey’s light shining in such a beautiful, open-hearted way.”
The former Westminster pupil played flute, oboe and the organ at the prestigious £30,000-a-year school’s orchestra before joining the Chineke! Foundation – a talented roster of musicians from under-represented backgrounds.
Detective chief inspector Lucy O’Connor, of the Central South Command Unit, said: “We are providing Harvey’s family with all the available information. We are also asking for media to please respect the family’s privacy at this challenging and difficult time.”