THE community of a Bolton teen whose body was found in a canal earlier this month is asking for donations to pay for the funeral and a memorial service for the 86 victims whose bodies have been found in Greater Manchester’s canals since 2007.

Orlando Nyero went missing in the early hours of Sunday June 3 after a night out celebrating his 19th birthday.

The body of the university student was found two days later in a canal on Whitworth Street West, Manchester.

Revd Thandeka Sibanda from the Kearsley Mount Methodist Church said that Orlando had a ‘perfect heart’ and that his family have been left speechless.

She said: “A good send off is the least we could do for our son.”

Since the incident, people have travelled from London and elsewhere to be with the family while they wait for a funeral date to be set.

Revd Thandeka said that some nights more than 20 people stay over at the family home in the Smithills area where his parents and four siblings are living.

The reverend, who is a Methodist Minister of Farnworth and Worsley, said that food and blankets are urgently needed for those who have travelled from afar.

She said: “No one is ever prepared to lose a family member or a friend and that’s the worst part.”

An online fundraising page was set up by Orlando’s friends and has already raised over £6,000 for the cause, but the church have now opened a specific account which the family can access to cover funeral costs.

All donations and money leftover will be used for a multifaith memorial service for Orlando and the 85 other victims whose bodies were found in the region’s canals in recent years.

The Manchester Water Safety Partnership held an emergency meeting following the tragic death of a Orlando — and announced new measures as a grieving mother called for safety measures around the waterways — at key points near where bars are located which will include near Locks 89 and 90.

Interim gating will stop people accessing the canal towpath after 2200 at key points near where bars are located which will include near Locks 89 and 90.”

To donate, contact Revd Thandeka Sibanda on 07494 532441 or tsmethodist12@gmail.com