FRIENDS and family of murdered teenager Fico Dougan released lanterns in his tribute on the day he would have turned 18.
His heartbroken parents were among those who gathered next to his grave at Queen's Road Cemetery, Thornton Heath, on Saturday and released dozens of lanterns into the sky.
Prayers and poems were read in honour of the John Ruskin college student, who was stabbed to death at a friend's house in Ockley Road, Broad Green, last September.
Fico's father, Ernest Dougan, thanked everyone for the "love you have shown for Fico" and urged the many teenagers present to make the most of their lives.
He said: "Dream, dream, but work towards your dreams... you cannot make excuses, you cannot blame people. Be accountable for whatever you have done.
"Your parents will guide you, will direct you, but you are accountable in the end for whatever you do.
"Be ambitious, have a goal, work torwards it. It takes hard work."
He added: "This is what I would have encouraged Fico [to do], so please, please this is my message for all of you."
- Uriah Gardner, 17, was convicted of Fico's murder last month at the Old Bailey and is due to be sentenced later this month.
