11-year-old Mason Keilhauer was knocked down in March this year
A family fun day in memory of a Belfast schoolboy who died earlier this year has raised vital funds for the youth club he loved.
Mason Keilhauer was knocked down on the Shankill Road, close to the junction with Dover Street, on March 7 and later passed away in hospital.
The 11-year-old’s death sent shockwaves through the local community and he is remembered as a “precious son” and “loving brother”.
In order to create a legacy in his name, Mason’s mother Michele vowed to do all she could to help kids in the local community and keep them away from anti-social behaviour.
His family have been fundraising for Townsend Street Social Outreach, where Mason attended the youth club run by Ruth Petticrew and hosted a family fun day and BBQ at Townsend Street on Saturday.
Chatting to Belfast Live at the event, Michele spoke about how important the Townsend Street Social Outreach is to the community while unveiling a new mural dedicated to her son.
She said: “Ruth is severely underfunded and needs funding to try and keep the kids off the street and for the kids to have somewhere to go – somewhere to drop in if they’re needing someone to talk to.
“We need funding to get her building up and running and to have it open longer, maybe open during the day so kids can drop in and the community can drop in.
“Our plan is to maybe get like some mum and tots and stuff organised, stuff for pensioners – so she needs bigger funding from the community and other people.”
Over 70 children enjoyed face painting, bouncy castles, ice cream and more at the family fun day on Saturday, continuing to create positive memories for local kids as part of Mason’s legacy.
“It’s just good to have somewhere for them to go and have a bit of fun and just be kids,” Michele added.
“Mason went to Ruth’s as well and he just loved being out and about – he loved his friends and it’s just something I feel I want to do to help other children in his memory.”
VIDEO JUSTIN KERNOGHAN
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