The family of murdered teenager CJ Hendricks have set up a fund in his memory.

The CJ Hendricks Trust Fund has been created to raise money to put a fitting memorial at the grave of the 18 year old from Leytonstone who was stabbed to death near Walthamstow bus station.

The family want to use any remaining donations to help youth projects in Waltham Forest with the aim of keeping young people off the streets and out of danger.

CJ’s father, Charles Hendricks Snr, said: “I have lost my son and I don’t want anyone else to lose one of their children, so I want to do something positive, to take children off the streets.

“It could be a starting point, in helping children and teaching them right from wrong.”

The family are planning an elaborate headstone with an image of praying hands with the words “Please save me Lord” – an image the talented teenager created before he died on August 24.

At his funeral the congregation heard that CJ had been baptised one year before he died.

A cousin, Lucille, told the congregation that he had also been inspired by an event at the Beaumont Estate in Walthamstow held by TRUCE, a team of evangelical reformed drug dealers and gang members from America who have turned away from crime by embracing Christian principles.

She said: “He stepped up to the stage and bowed his head. I knew there was a choice CJ had made between what he knew and what he wanted. He wanted peace.

“Then I saw the picture he drew which said ‘Please Save Me Lord’. As hurtful as it is for us, he asked God to save him from this world. Now he is in a better place.”

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder, and the trial is scheduled to start at the Old Bailey in London on December 8.

Mr Hendricks plans to liaise with youth projects once the murder trial has finished.

Donations can be made by depositing money into the following bank account at a Lloyds TSB Bank: CJ Hendricks Trust Fund, Sort Code: 30-92-90, Account number: 00254000.