The mother of Dean Meech, the student killed in Sutton town centre on Easter Sunday, has spoken publicly for the first time about the tragedy.
In a touching tribute, Deans family, friends and staff gathered at Carshalton College last Friday to celebrate his love of life and hard work.
His parents, Graham and Sandra Meech, helped fund the refurbishment of an editing suite a room where the media student spent much of his time.
Speaking to the Comet before the memorial service, Sandra told of how her world has been turned upside down by this tragedy.
We are obviously devastated by the loss of our son and the manner in which his life came to an end, she said. Over the months we have tried to come to terms with it but it is something we will never get over.
We, as a family, came up with the idea. We wanted something to mark his life. It seemed appropriate to refurbish this room where he spent a lot of his time for the benefit of others.
The college has produced a video which captured everything about Dean. When we watch it, its like having him back in the house for those eight minutes.
Sandra, who worked as an Accident and Emergency nurse at Croydons Mayday Hospital until Deans death, said her own experiences have made her a lot stronger.
Having a close family and friends has also helped. And it is a tribute to Dean that even though he is no longer here, his friends still keep in touch with us.
Sandra and her husband, Graham, a managing director of an engineering company, and son Paul, 23, who works with his father, are now bracing themselves for Christmas time and New Years Eve Deans birthday.
In a moving speech during the service, college principal Dr David Watkins described Dean as inescapable.
All of Deans teachers and fellow students agree that he was a truly special person. Not only was he gifted but he was also a really super fellow.
He thanked Mr and Mrs Meech for their generosity, saying: You are so kind to think of us during this unimaginably sad time.
Head of media John Waite, who had taught Dean, added: He will be remembered for his sense of humour and wit.
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