A WEEK after the sudden death of Ashley Dorling friends and family continue to pay their respects - setting up a memorial to him in the family's front garden.

A WEEK after the sudden death of Ashley Dorling friends and family continue to pay their respects - setting up a memorial to him in the family's front garden.

The 15-year-old died after he was pulled from the depths of a murky pond in Jovian Way, Ipswich on July 4.

Emergency services battled for about an hour to try and save his life but after being taken to Ipswich Hospital in a critical condition he was declared dead.

One week on, his family said they are struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Amy Steward, one of Ashley's older sisters, said they are all still finding it very hard, in their own ways.

“It is very hard for all of us, I was there with him at the hospital when they were trying to resuscitate him.

“It all just seems a blank, I was focusing on Ashley, trying to talk to him.”

She said she and her mum Rosemary Dorling had been at a school fun day when police told them the “devastating news.”

Friends have continued to show their support for the family this week, laying flowers and tributes at the scene of the accident, near to Morrisons on the Sproughton industrial estate.

And at the family home in Lavender Hill, dozens of bunches of flowers adorn Ashley's pride and joy, his caravan which sits in the front garden.

His sister Amy added: “He loved hanging out there, he and his mates. It was his place, we are hoping it will be a place we can go to remember him.

“His last words on the day he died were 'you only live once,' and he was just out enjoying himself with our brother and his mate. He was having fun.”

Ashley's funeral is due to take place at Ipswich Crematorium on Friday at 3.30pm.

Rosemary Dorling, Ashley's mum, has asked that mourners wear a splash of colour on the day.

The wake will be held at the Bridge Ward Social Club on Austin Street.

All of Ashley's friends are invited to come and pay their respects.