A charity summer ball is being held to raise money in memory of 13-year-old Ben Wragge who tragically lost his life when he was shot with an air rifle in May last year.
The black tie event at Ravenwood Hall aims to raise as much money as possible for the Ben Wragge Skate Park which is set to be built in his honour once a suitable site has been found.
The Thurston Community College pupil died at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday May 1, 13 days before his 14th birthday.
An inquest revealed he had died as a result of injuries caused by an air rifle pellet. The inquest heard Ben had suffered the wound while an airgun was being passed around between friends at an address in Old Post Office Lane, Thurston.
Thousands of tributes flooded social media following the death of the popular teenager, who was a keen skateboarder and BMX biker.
His mother Claire Wragge said in August that building a skatepark would have been just what her son would have wanted.
“After Ben died the support has been immense,” she said. “I could not have got through it without them. The community really pulled together.”
She added: “Ben loved skating, he was always on a BMX and his scooter. I think everyone would like to see it built in Ben’s honour – it would be a lovely way for him to remembered.
“I think Thurston needs a skate park, it is not just for Ben, it is for all the kids.”
Plans for the skatepark soon received backing from the world’s most famous skateboarder, Tony Hawk, who Tweeted his support for the project.
The ball at Ravenwood Hall, on June 23, will include a four course meal, a raffle and an auction.
Among the auction prizes are a custom made BMX Cyrus bike and a skateboard signed by Tony Hawk.
Other lots include a photo shoot worth nearly £3,000 and a painting of a Spitfire signed by the RAF’s youngest Spitfire pilot.
Owner of Ravenwood Hall Hotel Craig Jarvis said: “We are delighted to support the local community to raise funds in Ben’s memory. “We hope the evening will raise as much money as possible for this very worthy cause.”
To reserve tickets see here.
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