The Gazette is today joining the family and friends of stabbed teenager Craig Marshall in an appeal for cash to help pay for his funeral.

Close friends have already collected more than £1,000 through a football tournament organised in memory of the 19-year-old, who died after being fatally wounded in Acton on September 25.

A collection box has been set up at flower shop Act On Impulse - next to Morrisons in The Mount, yards from where Craig was killed - with the aim of raising another £1,000.

Mum Sharon and brother Aaron need the support of the community to cover the cost of a horse and carriage for his funeral.

The killing shocked those who knew Craig from around South Acton, and dozens have left flowers and tributes at a shrine set up by Aaron, 18, in the community garden where they grew up, next to Meredith Tower in Hanbury Road.

Craig was a regular player in Positive Futures football sessions run in South Acton by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, which agreed to hold the under-19s five-a-side memorial tournament in Gunnersbury Park last Saturday after being approached by three of the teenager's close friends.

Sonny Grant, Nordin Benoualid, Shane Jaeger and James Glynn also organised the match day collection, which netted more than £1,000. Trophies were handed out to the winners by Aaron, and a signed Brentford shirt was presented to Craig's mum.

"Craig would have been proud," said Sonny.

Aaron said: "Craig was a very well loved guy and the whole of Acton has come together. Even people from outside Acton have come forward.

"I'm just happy that everyone wants to help.

"The cash from the tournament has helped a lot. It's a bit of a struggle, but now we're just trying to get a bit more to get Craig what he would have wanted."

All are welcome to drop in and donate to the fund at Act On Impulse, which will be handed over in full to Craig's family. Aaron is also making collection boxes to give to other shops in the area.

A notice will be posted in the window of Act On Impulse once the funeral arrangements have been made.

* A talent show featuring young people from the South Acton estate will be held to help raise cash for Craig's funeral.

The show has been organised by Katie Malinovskaja and Kaine Farrell, both 17, and will be held at South Acton Working Men's Club in Strafford Road, from 7pm to midnight on Saturday, October 25.

Entry costs £2 on the door and donations will be collected inside.