Walk in memory of St Leonards schoolboy

Jo Barradine and Gary Simpson are organising the event in aid of You Raise Me Up, a charity that offers financial and emotional support to families that have lost a child.

Jo and Gary’s event is in memory of their 11-year-old son, Harley Simpson, who died on November 4 last year following a road collision on October 22 in Bulverhythe Road, St Leonards.

A silver Renault Espace travelling westbound collided with a central crossing bollard close to the junction with Bulverhythe Road in St Leonards. The vehicle collided with Harley, who was waiting to cross the road.

The Walk of Light for Harley is on Saturday, March 25 and those wanting to take part should meet at 4.30pm at the Old Bathing Pool site in Sea Road, St Leonards.

The event will start there, finish at the Stade Open Space, before returning to Sea Road.

Section 5 Drummers will be drumming along the route and there will be a dance performance at the Stade Open Space.

Harley’s family are asking people to dress up or wear bright colours, bring lights and lanterns.

A £5 donation will be warmly received by organisers.

You Raise Me Up was founded by Fraser and Jane Brooks in June 2011 following the sudden loss of their daughter Megan.

The charity’s sole purpose is to raise funds to support families that have suffered the loss of an adult child between the age of 16 and 25.

Jo said: “The charity has welcomed us as bereaved parents, offering us emotional support with holistic counselling and mother and father support groups.

“We don’t know where we would be without the support from this amazing charity.”

Harley attended Pebsham Primary Academy before going to The St Leonards Academy.

He played for Hastings & Bexhill RFC’s under-12 squad.

On the day of the road collision, a 69-year-old man from St Leonards was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving a vehicle while unfit through drugs before being released on police bail.

In December, the man was rearrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has been released on police bail again until Friday (March 17).

To donate to the Simpson family’s cause click here.

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