A 19-year-old who was stabbed to death was looking forward to a holiday in Ibiza before he was killed, his family have confirmed.
Matthew Daulby, 19, was killed following a night out a short distance from Railway Road in Ormskirk in the early hours of Saturday, July 29. Matthew was found with stab injuries and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he died later in hospital.
Matthew was an Everton season ticket holder, and was even a mascot for the team when he was nine-years-old. His family made an appeal earlier this month which is now being backed by Everton FC. The club is urging fans to applaud after 19 minutes of their home game against Arsenal on Sunday, September 17.
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Everton FC released a statement urging fans to remember the teenager, who was described as "a loving person" with a "zest for life".
A spokesperson from the club said: "The thoughts of everyone at Everton Football Club continue to be with Gary, Angela and Tom, Matthew’s family, and his many friends, and all supporters are encouraged to join in Sunday’s applause when the clock reaches 19 minutes."
A post from Matthew's family on social media spoke of the importance of the tribute.
It said: "Never in a million years did we think knife crime would affect our family, it doesn't happen to you and yours. This clap is so important to spread the word of how utterly devastating carrying a knife is. Our family has been ruined and can never be repaired."
Matthew, from Lydiate, was due to start a management course this month at Hope Street University, which was part of his apprenticeship. A music enthusiast, he was also looking forward to a holiday in Ibiza at the time of his death.
Matthew’s parents, Gary and Angela, and brother, Tom, now want to start a foundation in Matthew’s name to try to prevent more people losing their lives to knife crime and to help those without the level of support they have so gratefully received.
Gary said: "Matthew was such a vibrant character and had a huge zest for life. That's why we are promoting the message that 'Matthew says choose a life, not a knife'.
"That's the message we want people to have in mind when they clap for Matthew on Sunday. Going forward, we want to set up a foundation to raise awareness of the devastation caused by knife crime but also to fund events that will help get the message through to young people who may not pick up a newspaper or watch a TV programme and need to be engaged through social media and other ways.
"We are also so grateful for the level of support we have received from family and friends, who have just been incredible. But how do you manage if you don’t have the support?
"We also want to look at bleed bags and supporting the calls to have them available alongside defibrillators. There’s so much we can do to ensure losing Matthew is not in vain."
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