A week after experiencing heartbreaking tragedy, the family and friends of a teenage schoolboy have returned to the site of his last moments.
Hundreds of people filed into Clifton Country Park this afternoon to leave flowers and balloons in memory of Adam Kay.
The youngster's body was found in the River Irwell after a huge search and rescue operation last Tuesday (June 2).
He had been enjoying the hot weather and spending time with his friends while his school, Harper Green in Farnworth, Bolton, was closed as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
His parents never imagined that seven days after last seeing his face they would be leading a tearful procession of his family and classmates to say their final goodbyes.
But, in spite of the crushing sadness that had brought that unlikely group together, Adam's mother Shirley Whitworth said she was happy to see how many people had cared for her son.
"I'm shocked by how many people are here," she said.
"I knew there was going to be a good turnout but this is absolutely amazing. There are so many people who have come down here.
"It's been fantastic and it's good to know people care."
Shirley was supported by Adam's stepfather, Mark Whitworth, who walked with her as the group crossed the bridge covered in flowers and messages which has become an ever-growing memorial to their son.
And, as people gathered to pay their respects to the couple, Mark told the crowd how thankful he was that so many people had come.
"I just want to say a big thank you from Adam's family for you all turning out today," he said.
"It's just fantastic, thank you so much."
It was followed by silence from the crowd as Leoni Bates, a friend of Adam's, sang a song in his memory.
For Shirley and her family, this is sadly not the first time they have been put through the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one.
In 2007, Shirley's then-husband Gorden Kay was killed in a suspected hit and run while riding his bicycle to work. His youngest son Adam was just one year old at the time and the couple were expecting their eighth child.
A fundraiser for the family has been set up on campaign website GoFundMe and already nearly £4,000 has been raised towards Adam's funeral and future memorials to him.
