Eastbourne mothers prepare for Borneo trek to remember their sons

Three mothers from Eastbourne who lost their young sons in tragic circumstances are hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the charity which helped them with their grief.
SUS-160906-132959001SUS-160906-132959001
SUS-160906-132959001

Nicole Coyle, Yvonne Allan and Lisa Cook will fly to Borneo in October 2021 for a fundraising trek in aid of You Raise Me Up, the Eastbourne charity which provides practical, emotional and financial support to families who lose their children aged 16-25 unexpectedly.

Nicole’s 17-year-old son James died following an accident on the A259 East Dean Road in September 2011. The former Cavendish School pupil played tennis and football for Old Town Youth, Eastbourne and Ratton Rangers and was studying at South Downs College at the time of his death. He was known for his active and sociable personality and sense of fun.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nicole, who will be doing the trek with her sister Louise Baker, said, “YRMU has helped our family throughout the years since this devastating loss. Next year is the 10 year anniversary of the loss of James and of YRMU. Louise and I are doing it in celebration of James’ life and to help YRMU.”

SUS-200513-182945001SUS-200513-182945001
SUS-200513-182945001

Yvonne’s son Lewis fell ill at the home he shared with his parents and younger brother in 2011. He collapsed in the early hours of an October morning and died in hospital aged just 23.

Ben Cook, Lisa’s son, was killed in a car accident near Heathfield in June 2016 at the age of 25.

He lived with his parents Jez and Lisa and sister Sophie at the family home in Sorrel Drive and was described as a kind, gentle funny, caring gentle giant.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Born in Eastbourne, Ben went to West Rise and then Causeway School and was a former member of Smith’s Swimming Squad. He worked at 720 Taxis in the office in Susans Road and Gardners Books before starting railway maintenance work with Sunville Rail.

Tributes have been paid to James Coyle (pictured) ENGSNL00120110509112323Tributes have been paid to James Coyle (pictured) ENGSNL00120110509112323
Tributes have been paid to James Coyle (pictured) ENGSNL00120110509112323

The three women, along with more than 10 other fundraisers from the Eastbourne area, will trek through the jungle, camp in remote villages while gaining insights into jungle survival before a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary to learn more about conservation efforts for the animals and to see orangutans currently being rehabilitated.

Yvonne, known as Vonney and who will be doing the trek with her brother Andy Jackson, said, “October 10 2021 will not only be the 10th anniversary Borneo Trek of the amazing charity You Raise Me Up but the exact date will be the 10th anniversary of losing Lewis. The charity has helped both myself and Lewis’s dad Brian financially and emotionally and this will be a fantastic way to raise funds and awareness for the charity and in memory of Lewis and charity founder Jane Brooks.”

Ben’s mum Lisa said, “I am doing this in memory of Ben and to raise much needed funds and awareness of YRMU which has been a great support to me since losing Ben.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You Raise Me Up was founded by the Brooks family from Willingdon when their daughter Megan died unexpectedly of a heart condition at Eastbourne Rugby Club just days before her 18th birthday in 2011.

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com