A PEACE march is being held to mark the first anniversary of CJ Hendricks' death.

Up to 1,000 people are expected to take part in a procession from Abbotts Park in Leyton, near where he grew up, to Walthamstow town square, close to where the 18-year-old was fatally stabbed.

His parents, Charles and Melanie Hendricks, of Walwood Road, Leyton, have organised the remembrance march to make a public stand against knife crime.

They have also invited families of knife-crime victims, including Richard Taylor, Damiola Taylor's father, Ben Kinsella's family and relatives of Stephen Lawrence.

Mr Hendricks said: “The walk is against gun and knife crime because we don't want any more lives lost.”

Mrs Hendricks is registered disabled and walks with a stick but said she is determined to walk on the march and to re-visit the scene of her son's death.

Mrs Hendricks said: “This is to keep CJ's memory alive but also to remember other victims of knife crime. It has crippled our family and so I can imagine how other families are feeling.

“I speak to him every night and tell him, 'we won't let you down and you won't have died in vain'.”

Family friend Karen Fisher, who has helped organised the event, added: “It is a chance for the community to get involved because people are worried about knife crime too.”

CJ's former college, London Construction Training in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, is providing placards for the event.

Waltham Forest Council has also agreed to provide a memorial bench to be put in Abbotts Park with the words, 'Follow no one but yourself, in memory of CJ Hendricks'.

The march will leave Abbotts Park in Leyton High Road at 1pm on Monday, August 24, and will proceed past the Bakers' Arms, along Hoe Street and Walthamstow High Street to the town square, where speeches will be heard.

Participants are advised to bring water and a hat if the weather is warm and to wear comfortable shoes.

Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the cost of wrist bands or printed t-shirts for the event is asked to email Karen Fisher at karen_F6@hotmail.com

A 16-year-old charged with the murder of CJ Hendricks was acquitted at the Old Bailey on July 15.