Manchester United fan Luke was 12 when he was hit by a car while on his way home from Scalby School.

His family and friends have planned a small party in his memory to celebrate his birthday. Older brothers Matthew, Ben and Daniel Sheader say Manchester United’s dramatic win in last night’s Champions League final in Russia against Chelsea would have been the best present Luke would have asked for.

His mother Heather Smith said: “It is hard to believe that he would now be 16. I can’t imagine him as a teenager so it is very strange. We will celebrate together as a family with a nice cake and we will make a special toast to him.”

Mrs Smith has found it hard since the tragic death of her son in March 2005.

She said: “I still think it is all a bad dream. I have not been able to go back to work and I am still having counselling.

“I remember every moment of those two days after the accident. I remember that phone call. I was told Luke had had an accident but they didn’t know how serious it was. He was taken to Scarborough Hospital and soon after he was transferred to Hull.

“The next day I had to turn his life support machine off which was the worst thing I have ever had to do.”

Luke was struck by a car in Cross Lane, close to the junction with Newlands Park Drive.

He was laid to rest on March 24 2005 in a full Manchester United kit, signed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Matthew, Ben and Daniel carried their younger brother’s coffin into St Mark’s Church wearing Manchester United shirts with “Luke 1” written on the back.

Daniel, 26, said: “The whole family will be wishing Luke a happy birthday. I can definitely say the best present he would have wanted was for Manchester United to win the Champions League.

“It would have meant so much to him. I am sure we would have taken him out to watch it. We were very close and I miss him every day. But we will try to make his birthday a happy day.”

Matthew Sheader, 33, said: “We always celebrate on Luke’s birthday. This year is obviously special as it is his 16th. It is amazing the Champions League final is the night before. When I found out the date I just smiled and thought of Luke. He would have loved it.

“It is hard to believe he would be 16 – the three years have gone by so fast. We were very close and I miss him every day.”

Students from Scalby School made a toast to Luke at their leavers’ prom. He was in the same year group as the students.

Mrs Smith added: “When I read in the Evening News they had made a toast to Luke it tugged at a few heartstrings. He would have loved the prom and he would have made sure he was the centre of attention.

“It is nice that people still remember Luke. He was a very popular boy and his death affected so many people’s lives. He will never be forgotten.”