"Our pain has been unbearable", says the mum of a 22-year-old Leeds student who was stabbed to death on a holiday in Amsterdam.
The family of Danny Castledine are determined to tackle knife crime after he was stabbed repeatedly in his neck on June 1, and sadly died. A 22-year-old Belgian man was arrested the same day on suspicion of manslaughter.
Danny's sister Chloe said her brother's "ultimate dream" was to live abroad as he loved to travel. The events management student at Leeds Beckett University had travelled to over 23 countries before age 22, and Amsterdam was just one of many places on his bucket list. "Sadly this was cut short by an unneccary, senseless act", Chloe said.
Read more: 'Caring' Leeds student, 22, stabbed to death on holiday in Amsterdam
Opening an inquest into Mr Castledine’s death at Nottingham Council House on Friday, July 29, coroner Mairin Casey said Danny was formally identified on June 11 by his parents. The accused was remanded in custody before a preliminary hearing was held on August 26. He will appear in court this November.
Danny's mum Alison said: "We tragically lost our son Danny who was stabbed to death on holiday in June. Our pain during the last four months has been unbearable. We are unable to come to terms with losing our beautiful boy as we know many of you out there are too."
She added: "We have been trying to keep busy, supporting knife crime charities and keeping Danny’s legacy alive." Speaking about what the "caring" man was like, Danny's family added: "He would be out with his schooldays friends, and fitting in shifts at McDonalds to fund his extravagant lifestyle.
"He also had a major passion for fashion, and thought nothing of spending large on designer gear, from t-shirts to trainers." Danny’s family have felt "compelled" to act upon not just Danny’s attack, due to the the incessant number of rising cases of knife crime happening all over the world.
They have been fundraising for lifelong campaigns against knife crime, funding for victim support for murders abroad and a continuation of Danny’s memory. They raised over £15,000 in one fundraiser.
His sister Chloe decided to created a charitable apparel line named DrippylikeDanny to honour her brother, and note is passion for fashion. Chloe has created a website and social media pages where people can buy the designs and get involved in fundraising.
The designs are all inspired by catchphrases Danny would say, and drawings he created as a child have been incorporated. Chloe added: "Danny will be remembered as nothing less than an icon, and his legacy will be carried by those that loved him most, channelled through the passions he loved most in his 22 years.
"Danny was a huge lover of fashion, and whilst his friends and family found some of his outfits rather questionable, nothing could stop Danny wearing what he wanted, as he wore them with something else money simply cannot buy, confidence. Every outfit, no matter how outrageous, Danny made it so effortlessly cool."
Speaking about why she decided to start DrippylikeDanny the passionate sister added: "During the hardest time of my life I have set up a small business dedicated to my brother, Danny, who was murdered in June. This has helped give me focus and keep Danny's legacy alive while raising money to tackle knife crime."
Michael Hagan, head of travel law at Fletchers Group, who are supporting the family in the UK, said: ‘"The family want to create a legacy for Danny and to this end have set up a fundraising page in his memory.
"Incidents like this really are the stuff of nightmares. Danny was a caring and kind young man with his whole life ahead of him. He was killed in an act of senseless and brutal violence and his tragic loss is something that his loving parents, sister and family will now have to bear for the rest of their lives."
Danny's funeral was held earlier this month, and A. Wass Funeral Directors have now sponsored DrippylikeDanny. Chloe said: "Paul Brown gave our Danny the best possible send off that he deserved. His generous donation will allow for us to starting working on a new design.
"We are so grateful for this support that will expand our business and help us reach our goals of tackling knife crime and leaving Danny a legacy." For more information on DrippylikeDanny click here.
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