HEARTBROKEN friends of a teenage boy ‘murdered’ in Lanarkshire have raised thousands of pounds to give him a proper send off.

Tragic Sean Ford, 15, was found seriously injured inside a house on Charles Street in Craigneuk, Wishaw, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Emergency services raced to the scene and rushed Sean to Wishaw General Hospital, but he could not be saved.

An investigation was launched and Connor McMath, 20, on Monday appeared in Hamilton Sheriff Court charged with murdering Sean.

He made no plea and was remanded in custody.

Now, as Sean’s heartbroken pals continue to grieve, a balloon release has been planned for friends and family to pay their respects to the “wee star”.

READ MORE: Sean Ford: Family's heartbroken tribute to Wishaw boy, 15, as man charged over 'murder'

Eve Rielly, who described Sean as like a “brother”, has urged people to meet at Belhaven Park in Wishaw later this evening for the ceremony.

Eve also set up a fundraiser for funeral costs.

She said it is “just a wee help to the family for bringing up such a wee star”, adding “love you forever Sean”.

So far more than £1100 has been raised in just two days, with around 100 people donating cash to help his family during the difficult time.

Following his death, scores of tributes from distraught pals began flooding in for the “one in a million” teen.

Teganlee Nisbet wrote: You should be here, you should be growing up like the rest of us, you should still be watching your little brothers group up.

“You were such a bubbly wee character, always put others before yourself, always messaged and asked if I was ok.

“For the short time you were here you were definitely loved by everyone and will continue to be loved - you won’t ever be forgotten.”

Amy Healy added: “I can’t believe my ears.

“I’m still shocked and can’t stop crying.

“RIP Sean, I’m absolutely scunnered. Fly high beautiful - the funniest wee guy ever.”

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Fiona Sheridan added: “We take each other for granted way too much.

“Got the news this morning about Sean, he was only 15-years-old. I can’t get my heard around it.

“My heart is hurting, thoughts and prayers to Sean’s family and his many friends. Rest easy wee man”.

Sean’s family have also issued a heartbreaking statement vowing to get “justice” for the schoolboy.

They said: “Sean was such an outgoing and intelligent young boy who brought laughter and smiles to everyone around him.

“He was always making sure others were ok. He was truly one in a million and we will never forget his big beautiful smile. He will be forever young.

“We are overwhelmed with the amount of support from his friends and would like to thank every last one of them. He was so cruelly and cowardly taken away from us and we will get justice for Sean.

“We are so heartbroken and just ask to be left to grieve.”

Following news a 20-year-old was charged, Police Scotland urged anyone with information to still get in touch via 101 quoting incident number 0785 of March 7.

You can view the fundraiser here.