A MAN whose friend was killed after a fight is determined to raise money in his memory.

Shane Yerrell, 33, of Springfields in Waltham Abbey, set up a Go Fund Me page after his friend, Jonathan McPhillips, was stabbed.

The father of two was stabbed in Upper Street, Islington on February 25, and died five days later, on March 1.

Shane, who is friends with Jonathan, nicknamed ‘JJ’, and his family, set up the page to raise money for his young children and has so far beaten his target, raising £3,700.

Michelle McPhillips, Jonathan’s mum, ran the Sun Inn pub, in Waltham Abbey with her son for ten years until 2015.

Ms McPhillips supports Shane’s efforts, and believes the page will allow his children, Lexie, 4, and Evie, 2, to have a good education.

Shane said: “JJ was great. He was really bubbly.

“The fundraising page has been brilliant. I hope it goes up as much as it can.

“The aim was to get a good amount of money for his little girls.”

Ms Phillips said: “It will all go towards college funds. It’s now my responsibility to help my grandchildren have a steady education.

“My J was a very shy person, but he loved his children.

“He worked the bar in Waltham Abbey for a few years in the Sun Inn. When he became a father he really matured. They were everything to him.”

JJ was stabbed outside a nightclub in the evening, and his mum recalled the moment she found out.

She said: “It was 5:30pm and we were messing about. At about 9pm his children went home and he went out with his cousins.

“I had a phone call at quarter past 12 and was told he had been stabbed. 15 minutes later I was in the back of the ambulance. He reached out and called me mum.

“When I got there I just kept telling him to breath. I said to my mum ‘I just know he’s gone.’ He fought really well.

“He loved life. His family, they were everything to him. They were his passion.”

Shane is planning events to raise some more money in memory of JJ.

The Pride of Essex Award winner of 2015 is putting on a ticket event at the Queen’s Head pub in Waltham Abbey on April 22. Tickets are £5 and everything raised will go to JJ’s children.

“There will be loads of people performing, including singers and rappers.”

A 19-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, March 16 on suspicion of murder, while a 45-year-old woman was arrested on the same day on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both remain in custody.

A 24-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of murder on March 4, and has since been bailed.

Anyone with any information should call police on 02083453775.

You can donate to the fundraising page at https://www.gofundme.com/3g7hjp4.