Hundreds of people have joined a campaign to name a new jet airliner after Tommy Blackmore, the Bermondsey man who was killed as he tried to break up a row in June.
The Name Our Plane competition is being run by Thomson Holidays, which is asking for suggestions for its new Boeing 787 Dreamline’s name.
Already over 500 people have voted to name the plane after the cheeky 20-year-old, including his friend Summer Sparks, who began the campaign.
The eighteen-year-old told the News: “I just think it would be a good way to remember him. The memorial that people made where he died has been removed. Flowers are dropped there but taken away and I even put a plaque there but it was removed. That’s quite upsetting for his friends and his family, so this would be a permanent way we could remember him.”
Tommy’s older brother Bradley added: “I’d just like to thank everyone who has voted so far. This would be a great way to remember him so please get involved.”
The five entries with the most votes will be submitted to a judging panel who will make the final decision on the new plane’s name. The winning entry will also receive £2,500 in Thomson travel vouchers, which Summer said will go to the Blackmore family.
Tommy died in June when convicted drug dealer Lloyd Smythe, 29, from the Tabard Gardens Estate, Borough, delivered a “boxing jab” to the head outside a nightclub.
Tommy was a “totally innocent victim” in the unprovoked attack, for which Smythe was jailed for manslaughter.
The competition closes on November 16 at midday.
Vote for Tommy at nameourplane.com/name/tommyblackmore8