Legendary pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk gives Thurston skate park memorial to Ben Wragge, 13, his backing
Tony Hawk - Credit: AP
Legendary pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk has given his support to plans for a Thurston skate park in memory of tragic air rifle victim Ben Wragge, 13.
The group hoping to build a skate park in Thurston in memory of Ben Wragge. Ben's mum, Claire is pictured (centre). - Credit: Archant
Hawk, the world’s most famous skater, took to Facebook and Twitter to show his support after someone got in touch to tell him about the plans.
Hundreds of people have liked and shared the posts since they were made by the American athlete on Monday evening.
The 48-year-old skating pioneer wrote: “This UK community is honoring the life of Ben Wragge in a truly meaningful way: by building a skatepark in his name.”
He urged his millions of followers to help out, sharing a link to an online fundraising page set up by the Thurston Skate Park Group.
Ben Wragge - Credit: Archant
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The group are hoping to build a skate park in the village to honour keen skateboarder and BMX rider Ben, who died after being hit with an air rifle pellet on May 1 this year.
They are still in the early stages, with a potential site off Heath Road identified but not set in stone.
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Group committee chairman Steve Button said: “How is amazing is that? Tony Hawk has something like six million people on his page, hopefully it will help us raise some money and get some more support from businesses.
“It is just brilliant, maybe we will get him to come along to our opening ceremony and give us a few lessons.”
The project is starting to build momentum, with an article in The EADT on August 4 leading to more offers of help.
Mr Button said: “We have had a civil engineering company from Ipswich called MLM offering their support completely pro bono. The next step is to get the land, after that we can really start moving.”
The group are looking for help from local businesses and from people who wish to donate their time or money. They have a rough target of £100,000.
£8,000 raised by people who donated to help Ben’s family after his tragic death has been set aside by his mother Claire Wragge.
To get involved in the project go to their Facebook page at www.bit.ly/skateforben
To donate online go to crowdfunding.justgiving.com/thurstonskatepark
