Family and friends of Parklife murder victim Robert Hart were urged to turn anger into hope, as hundreds attended his funeral today.

Music-lover Robert, 26, suffered fatal head injuries after being attacked in front of his girlfriend in the crowd at the Heaton Park festival in June. He was taken to hospital but died five days later.

Around 300 people crammed into the parish church in Rainow, the village in Macclesfield where Robert grew up, to say goodbye.

The funeral procession entered to Blue Moon, the theme of Manchester City, who Robert supported.

The coffin was draped in a City blue cloth emblazoned with the club’s badge and pictures of musical notes and guitars, his other passion.

 

Leading the service Revd Stephen Rathbone described Robert as someone who was kind, creative and charismatic but above all ‘fun to be with’ and who ‘packed a lot into his short life’.

He touched upon the tragic end to Robert’s life saying: “This is not a time to ask ‘why’ or ‘if only’. This is a time to celebrate the extraordinary playfulness and passion of Robert.”

In one prayer he urged the congregation “to turn anger into hope”.

During the service Robert’s family - mum Elaine, sisters Nicola and Rachel and brother Richard - comforted each other.

On behalf of the family Rachel North, Robert’s sister, paid tribute in the form of a letter.

She described Robert, the youngest of the four children, as a ‘wonderful, surprise addition to the family’ who “completed our gang of two boys and two girls”

She said: “Our parents didn’t know it at the time but they had created two sets of best friends. He was the youngest member of the family but would offer help and amazing advice to all of us.

“Robert, we all love you so much and thank you for just being you.”

Rachel shared many fond and amusing memories of Robert including the time on Christmas Eve 2007 when he painted a giant penguin on the iconic White Nancy above Macclesfield.

Robert went to Rainow Primary School and Fallibroome Academy before studying in Liverpool. There he met girlfriend Gemma in 2012 and they began to build a life together.

After the service Robert was buried at Macclesfield Cemetery.

Meanwhile, detectives are continuing to appeal for help to trace witnesses they believe may hold valuable information about the fatal attack.

They may have been nearby when Robert was punched to the ground near to the main stage at about 9.15pm on June 7.

He was attacked after stepping in after his girlfriend Gemma Parry was repeatedly hit with an inflatable toy in the huge crowd.

His killer was not caught in the aftermath after a festival-goer, believed to be a woman, stepped in and pulled him away from the incident into the crowd.

The suspect is mixed race, six feet tall, of muscular build, in his mid 20s with short hair shaved at the sides. He was clean shaven and wearing a dark-coloured jacket and shorts.