THE family of a schoolboy from Suffolk killed in a coach crash last year are organising a fundraising event in his memory.Stuart Dines, 14, from Woodbridge, was killed in Germany in February last year while on a skiing trip with fellow pupils from the Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham.

By Richard Smith

THE family of a schoolboy from Suffolk killed in a coach crash last year are organising a fundraising event in his memory.

Stuart Dines, 14, from Woodbridge, was killed in Germany in February last year while on a skiing trip with fellow pupils from the Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham.

They were on their way to a resort in Austria when the accident happened on the A4 autobahn near Cologne. Two other people from Norfolk who were travelling in a second coach involved in the accident also died.

Now, Stuart's family are preparing for an event on June 1 which will also bring back memories of the family's last holiday together.

The event will raise money for the Kariandusi School Trust which builds schools in the Rift Valley, in Kenya, the country where the family had last been on holiday.

The music event has been named StuGig by Stuart's friends and it will be held from 2pm to 11pm at the Woodbridge School sports dome.

Bands from around Suffolk will join with school bands in a musical feast. The groups and singers taking part include Alan Carson, Allied Force, Bear, Blue Jeans, Cheeky Cheeky and The Nose Bleeds, Dustmen's Royal Party, Ed Sheeran, FMR, One Day Life, Social Group, The Kabeedies and The Breathing Method.

There is also a raffle draw with a £100 cash top prize and other prizes including a signed pen from Prime Minister Tony Blair.

It is billed as a family event and the organisers say that children under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Stuart's family - father Bob, mother Jackie, sister Rachel and brother Ian - wrote a tribute to Stuart in the East Anglian Daily Times a year after his death.

They recalled: “He had a friendly, bubbly and outgoing personality. He was a happy boy, always smiling and never liked seeing people upset or unhappy.

“He was always ready with a hug, joke or a gesture to make you smile again. Because of his personality and nature, he was content in the company of anyone, whatever their age, gender or circumstances.

“He had a wicked sense of humour and had an amazing perspective on life, which showed maturity in someone so young.”

Woodbridge School, Eclipse Sound and Lighting, Independent Villas (Ipswich), Woodbridge Community Council and Ipswich Building Society (Woodbridge) have sponsored the event.

Wristband tickets are available from Peter Hall Flooring, 34 High Street, Wickham Market; Ipswich Building Society, New Street, Woodbridge; Independent Villas, 468 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; Crown Hotel, Market Hill, Framlingham or send a SAE to 74 Bredfield Road, Woodbridge IP12 1JE. They cost £4 in advance or £5 on the door. There is a also website at www.stugig.co.uk

richard.smith@eadt.co.uk