Lanterns light up sky for five-year-old ‘Wee’ Oscar

Local people met on the green on Rathvarna Drive on Sunday to launch lanterns to remember Oscar, the five-year-old who tragically passed away on May 8.

Lanterns speckled the sky across Lisburn and Belfast where hundreds of people also gathered to pay their respects to Oscar who died after a long battle against an aggressive form of cancer.

Chairman of the North Lisburn Community Investment (NLCI) and organiser of the event Jonathan Corry said: “I wish to thank every single individual who came out to Ballymacash to light up the sky for little Oscar Knox.

“The turnout was amazing. We had over 150 people come to show their support and get involved.

“It makes me very proud to be part of this community and represent it.”

Jonathan added: “Oscar touched the hearts of many and I hope he is smiling in the sky as an angel seeing what everyone did for him tonight. He will never be forgotten.”

The NLCI raised £108.96 through donations and by selling Chinese lanterns some of which had been donated by The Works in Bow Street Mall.

All of the money raised on the night has since been donated to The Northern Ireland Hospice’s Just Giving page in Oscar’s memory.

On the North Lisburn Community Awareness facebook group Melissa Sangan wrote: “Shine bright wee man RIP”, and Nicola Park wrote “really heartwarming seeing these and everyone’s candles being lit for such a special little boy”.