Motor tribute to beloved friend
A MOTORCADE of friends will follow the funeral procession for teenager Ben Maitland, who died at the weekend.
The tribute will be led by members of the Thanet Classics Car Club, which Ben belonged to.
-
Sun 12 Feb 2012. - Floral tributes left at the scene of a fatal accident in the early hours of Saturday morning. - Corner of Bishops Avenue and Stone Road, Broadstairs.
-
POPULAR: Tributes, including pictures of Ben were left at the scene of the crash in Stone Road, above and left
-
DRIVE: Ben driving his beloved Mini at the Thanet Classics Christmas Cruise charity event last year
-
LEFT: A picture of the teenager was left among the flowers at Stone Road
At Christmas, Ben, 19, joined a club fundraiser for Pilgrims Hospices in his beloved red Mini.
The club is planning to follow the funeral procession with a motorcade of its members.
Tonight (Friday) family and friends will pay tribute to Ben, driving to some of his favourite places and ending at the car park behind the Granville theatre and cinema in Ramsgate, where they will release Chinese lanterns in his memory.
Tributes to Ben, from Margate, have poured in since he died in a car crash in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He was a passenger in his friend's Vauxhall Astra when it hit a wall on the junction of Stone Road and Bishops Avenue just before 4am.
The 19-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and released on police bail until May 9 as the investigation into the crash continues.
One of the two 17-year-old girls hurt in the crash was discharged from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital this week, but the other remains in a serious but stable condition.
A fourth passenger, aged 18, received treatment for minor injuries.
Ben was a former pupil at St George's Church of England School in Broadstairs.
Principal Kim Stoner said: "The sudden death of Ben has been a terrible shock for all.
"Ben was a young man who had so much to offer.
"Our thought and prayers are with his family and friends."
6 Comments
by Classic_Cars
Sunday, February 19 2012, 12:14PM
“Thank you Chelcie Rowe for the link xx.
I have just read all the tributes to Ben from everyone, with tears rolling down my face. It's fantastic to know how much he was loved by his family, friends and colleagues.
Ben was just emerging from his teen's into the man he was going to be for the rest of his life and it is tragic that this has been cut short suddenly through no fault of his own.
In a Parents mind, our children never grow up, they are always our kids, or at least that is what we tell ourselves. We want to guide and protect them and keep them safe from harm forever, and will stand in front of a bus if need be to achieve this without a second thought to ourselves!
We do have to let go though and allow them to find their own feet, and that is the hardest part of being a parent. Not knowing what they are doing, where they are going, who they are with or what time they will be home! You get used to it eventually though because you see them come home again and again safely. But there is always this nagging voice at the back of your mind saying 'What If'. That never goes away, not even when they have left the nest! Being a Parent is for life, whether that is 100 years long or as in these tragic circumstances a heck of a lot less. Those thoughts will also be with you when you have children of your own to protect. It is natural to be worried for your child, and teenage boys especially. They all think they are invincible and have no fear. Unfortunately they aren't.
When 'YOU' next see Ben's Parents and family, please hug them and support them as they have never needed it so much as now.
And 'Ben', I hope there is a heaven where you are now. We need to believe this to bring our own comfort to this mess. Forgiveness may be a hard thing for us mere mortals to do but I am sure you would not hold any grudges from what I have read about you - Amazing guy.
Bless you again Ben and bless all your family and friends, stay that way, and take a little care in whatever you do from now on. xxx”
by chelcierowe
Saturday, February 18 2012, 9:23AM
“last night was amazing, im uploading pics now. they are welcome to be used x”
by tephworth
Friday, February 17 2012, 6:10PM
“https://http://tinyurl.com/6wy5j2r
is a facebook page were event to remember ben take place his family do read it x”
by chelcierowe
Friday, February 17 2012, 5:51PM
“http://tinyurl.com/6wy5j2r xx”
by chelcierowe
Friday, February 17 2012, 5:46PM
“http://tinyurl.com/6wy5j2r
Bens tribute page- thanks for your kind words xx”
by Classic_Cars
Friday, February 17 2012, 4:56PM
“I just want to send my condolences to Ben's family and friends. Words really can't show how the heartbreak affects everyone. I will miss seeing him in his beloved little red Mini car driving through Northdown Road in Cliftonville for one as I am sure many others will. His smile and outlook on life was magnificent.
Bless you Ben.
(Please will someone add a link to any tribute pages as the report says they are pouring in. Where?)”