The owner of an Ipswich pub has said a family fun day held at the venue was “a fitting tribute” to her late husband.
On September 7 2013, Julie Ridgeon was preparing for a fun day at The Kingfisher, in Hawthorn Drive on the Chantry estate, which she ran with her husband Kevin.
But that morning Mr Ridgeon, who had gone back to work as a lorry driver to help support the pub, fell backwards from the articulated vehicle he had driven to Lichfield, near Birmingham.
He suffered major injuries and later died in the University Hospital of North Staffordshire’s trauma centre.
The fun day was cancelled but was been reorganised for yesterday and named ‘One Year On’, and is in memory of Mr Ridgeon.
Mrs Ridgeon said: “We’re all holding it together, it’s been lovely.
“There’s been a large turnout, there’s about 100 people here. It was rammed.
“Everyone’s having a lovely time.
“A few guys turned out in their pink shirts because that’s what they turned out in for Kevin’s funeral.
“People have been coming up and telling me what a lovely guy he was.
“It’s been a really fitting tribute.”
There was a BBQ, face painting, and live music from the Martells, Leah Godbold and Buskers Life.
The Mid-Anglia Herpetological and Invertebrate Society brought snakes along for people to see as well.
Mrs Ridgeon also thanked her daughter Sam’s partner Greg for stepping in and helping out since Mr Ridgeon died.
She added: “My family have been a massive support.
“We would like to thank everyone. We’re really grateful.”
The day raised close to £600 for the Town 102 Kids Trust.
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