Wayne Rooney gives support to pier tragedy family

On Tuesday evening the soccer star tweeted: “Devastating news about young Mark, Evan & family from Derry. Your support hasn’t gone unnoticed. Prayers with family #rooneyformarkandevan”.

The heartbroken friends of the schoolchildren who died in Sunday night’s tragedy had started an online campaign to have them recognised on Twitter by their idols.

Jodie-Lee (14), Mark (12) and Evan (8) died on Sunday night along with two other members of their family when their car got into difficulties on Buncrana pier.

Friends of Jodie-Lee Daniels have been tweeting with the hashtag #jbforjodie asking her hero Justin Bieber to tweet about her.

And a similar online campaign #rooneyformarkandevan was launched in memory of Jodie’s nephews Mark and Evan - asking Wayne Rooney to say a few words about his young fans.

Last night the family’s friends paid tribute to Wayne Rooney for acknowledging their grief.

Denise Coyle tweeted: “So thankful to @WayneRooney it really does mean the world #rooneyformarkandevan”.

Liz Jordan added: “@WayneRooney Superstar! Thank you very much for your kindness from a grateful heartbroken Derry. #rooneyformarkandevan #RIPboys xx”.

Friends who contacted the Derry Journal said that it was Jodie-Lee’s dream to one day meet Justin Bieber and they wanted him to see the message they were posting about her.

They are asking everyone on twitter to go online and post #jbforjodie @justinbieber in the hope that he will similarly acknowledge such a tragic death of one of his fans.

The Principal of St Mary’s College described Jodie-Lee Daniels as a “quiet, hard-working and beautiful young girl.”

Marie Lindsay said the 14 year-old, who was a year 10 pupil at the school, was “always smiling.”

“If you were in bad form, she put you in good humour,” she said.

The principal revealed how yesterday the girls in the school made yellow and white ribbons in memory of Jodie Lee.

“We have had support from the critical incident team,” she said. “When we told Jodie-Lee’s year group and form class we gave them time to talk together about her. We gave them space and support.

“Their form teacher and head of year have been working closely with the girls and will continue to do that.”