We won't stop in fight to get justice for murdered Tom Kirwan

It has been a year since the 23-year-old Bridgnorth Aluminium employee was murdered on a night out in Wolverhampton, sparking an outpouring of grief.

Countless tributes were paid to the Wolves fan, with banners and messages left at the murder scene outside the former Uberra club in the city centre.

Hundreds of people flocked to attend his funeral to say their final farewells, with the service so well attended it had to be relayed on loudspeakers to mourners outside.

But the grief Tom's mother Emer Kirwan and fiancée Jade Elwell feel will never cease, despite the continuing support of their family, friends and the wider community. Together they have set up the Tom Kirwan Trust, which has been launched to coincide with the first anniversary of his tragic, shocking and untimely death.

Miss Elwell said the charity – which kicks off a series of fundraising events with a fun day at the ECC Sports and Social Club in Bushbury from 2pm tomorrow –would help keep her going as they continue to fight for justice.

"There's no way we can sit back and let anyone get away with what's been done to our lives," she said. "Everything we do will go towards fighting for justice for Tom."

Mrs Kirwan urged the public to support them tomorrow and in the future to raise as much money as they can towards their campaign.

She said she found it 'incredible' that nobody had yet come forward with information the police needed.

"I feel like we're knocking our head against a brick wall," the distraught mother added. "For whatever reason people are holding back information. It's hard to believe, but they are."

Tom was stabbed to death outside the Uberra nightclub – now The Canal Club –on July 8 last year after trouble inside the venue spilled outside. Six teenagers have been charged over the disorder that broke out in the build-up to the murder. Another six people remain on police bail in connection with the 23-year-old's death.

Since the tragedy the community has rallied round the Kirwan family. Last October hundreds of people attended a tribute night held at ECC, while in December 200 took part in a walk and candlelit vigil, which finished at a memorial bench at the club.

And in March this year Wolves footballer Jody Craddock planted a tree in Tom's memory, watched by friends and family on land next to Little's Lane, off St Patrick's Ring Road. A Sunday football team which bears his initials – TK Wanderers – has also been set up in his honour.

Miss Elwell said the overwhelming support was a big help, but that the pain of her fiancée's death was still all too raw. "This has completely ruined my life," she said. "Me and Tom had plans for the future and that's been ripped away from me. I try and block it out for a couple of days. Then you wake up the next morning and it just hits you."

Mrs Kirwan said the fact justice had not yet been done merely compounded her grief and made her and the family incredibly angry. "Our family's lives have been destroyed. We've lost Tom and there's been no justice," she said.

"This year has been horrendous. Tom was a lovely, hardworking, decent, kind gentleman and I think that's pulled at people's heartstrings to see this happen to someone like him."

With the anniversary of his death coinciding with the charity launch Tom's mother is hoping that people's memories will be jogged and someone will come forward with vital information.

But she knows the pain of losing her song will never get any easier to cope with.

"We have constant reminders of him - Christmas, his birthday, the anniversary of him and Jade's engagement, the anniversary this weekend," she said.

"You have to try and block it out otherwise you'd go insane. There must be a mechanism in your brain to block it out.

"But every day is horrendous. Every day I cry. It's hard to smile these days."