Thousands gathered on Walworth’s Aylesbury Estate on Saturday night to release balloons in memory of a 16-year-old, who tragically passed away after a fire at his friend’s home last week.
The night’s sky on Saturday was filled with balloons as a whole community mourned the loss of the popular teenager, who was an extremely talented footballer and church goer.
Tommy Ballay-Dean, who lived on the Aylesbury Estate and was better known as Junior Dean to his friends, died in the blaze on Wednesday last week (18 March) which tore through a first-floor flat on nearby Cooper’s Road just off the Old Kent Road.
It has been reported that it was home to Junior’s friend Shauny Halsey, also aged 16. He is believed to have escaped the property before firefighters arrived and was taken to hospital, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. Shauny is currently in an induced coma with life-threatening burns, according to a close family friend.
There has been speculation that an electric bike allegedly burst into flames soon after the teenagers returned to Shauny’s home from the shops. The cause of the fire is still being investigated by LFB and the Metropolitan Police, a spokesperson said. “The circumstances of the fire remain under investigation, although at this stage the incident is believed to be non-suspicious.”
An online fundraiser has been set up to support Junior’s family with funeral costs. It described him as “the heart and soul of Southwark residents and a cherished member of the wider Southwark community”.
The teenager, a pupil at St Thomas the Apostle School in Nunhead, was described by those who knew him as “loved” and a “shining light”. Junior was a talented footballer, son and brother, whose loss will be felt right across the community.
A fundraiser has also been set up to support Shauny’s family, who have been left homeless by the fire and are currently living out of a hotel room.
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“Their flat was completely destroyed, and they have lost their home, their belongings, their clothes,” states the GoFundMe.
On Saturday evening (21 March) crowds gathered on the Aylesbury Estate to release balloons into the sky in memory of 16-year-old Junior.
Dozens of heartbroken social media users commented ‘LLJ’ beneath TikToks capturing the moving tribute – Long Live Junior.
Tributes have been pouring in for Junior, an active member of Southwark Residents Football Club and Mass Elite Academy. He had previously played for Rotherhithe under-16s Academy Blaise Ballers and the Whitestar Academy, as well as Rotherhithe FC and Blue Star Elite.
But apart from being a soaring success on the pitch, Junior was a devoted member of RPF Youth from the Redeemed Pillar of Fire church, based in Camberwell and Archway.
One member of the congregation said: “He had such a laughable presence and always made those around him feel welcome. He was a true blessing upon everybody’s life and mine too.”
A member of the youth church told us: “He always had such great energy and brought all the vibes, you could say that he was the light of the dark room. He made everyone’s day better with just a smile.”
Dean Stanhope, who runs Southwark Residents Football Club, and was behind setting up the GoFundMe page to support Junior’s family with funeral costs, added: “He was the clown of the group – always joking, always messing around, but he was so loved. You wouldn’t change him for anything, he could light up a room. He made a huge impact on the club, and he’ll never be forgotten.”
His former coach from SL90 Football Foundation, said he “knew (Junior) was destined for something special, whether it was football or anything else he chose.”
Junior played for the last time with SL90 on 14 March, a moment Coach Shelley says “means everything to us now.”
Frankie Collins, manager at Rotherhithe FC, said: “He was full of energy and charisma and we loved every minute he spent at the club. He left his mark on every one of his coaches, team mates and even spectators who got the pleasure to watch him play. He lit up the changing room with his energy and character and determination to succeed.”
Junior’s footballing achievements included earning a Gillingham Under-15s showcase trial, as well as winning Rotherhithe FC’s top scorer and goal of the season awards last year.
Grassroots teams across South London are playing matches in Junior’s memory and his friends have taken to social media with the symbol ‘LLDJ’, standing for ‘Long Live Junior Dean’.
Rotherhithe FC will play a fundraiser match against local side Millwall Man v Fat on 5 April at St Paul’s Sports Ground, off Salter Road, with a 3:30pm kick-off, to raise money for the family.
Grassroots football teams across the area were also invited to observe a minute’s silence in his honour last weekend (21 and 22 March). His clubs, Southwark Residents and Mass Elite, held a two-minute silence.
SL90 Football Foundation are hosting a tournament in collaboration with Quadrant Performance Academy and Active Communities Network on 11 April.
The GoFundMe, launched by his former coach, has reached nearly £42,000 of the £55,000 goal so far.
Donate to the GoFundMe here (all proceeds are going to Junior’s family): https://www.gofundme.com/f/tommy-ballaydean-aka-jr-dean
