FAMILY members of Foxhall Road crash victim Emma Harold have today spoken of their gratitude after a lasting memorial was unveiled in tribute to the 26-year-old.

Naomi Cassidy

FAMILY members of Foxhall Road crash victim Emma Harold have today spoken of their gratitude after a lasting memorial was unveiled in tribute to the 26-year-old.

A new bench now has pride of place in the roof garden of the Willis building in Friars Street, Ipswich, where she worked for more than two and a half years.

Emma was involved in a collision with a car as she was walking home from a night out on February 21.

Her friend, Kate Wasyluk, 25, was also killed in the crash and her 25-year-old sister Rebecca, who spent eight weeks in hospital and still has her leg in plaster, was seriously injured.

Emma's family went to see the bench and their father Glenn described it as a “moving and emotional” experience.

He said: “The whole family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to Willis for the provision of the Emma Memorial Seating area, which will be somewhere for her work colleagues to share and enjoy. This oasis is beautiful, but has been an emotional and moving experience for us all.

“Our immense thanks goes to all the Willis Group for their charitable fundraising efforts made for the hospice and Somersham Ward in Emma's memory and for the continued ongoing family support they provide.”

There is a plaque attached to the bench, which is dedicated to Emma, also known as 'Bish' to her colleagues after Harold Bishop from the Australian television show Neighbours.

The company held a dress down day on what would have been Emma's 27th birthday on March 26, which raised more than �1,000.

The money was divided between St Elizabeth Hospice and the Somersham Ward at Ipswich Hospital, which were both supported by Emma.

It was also decided to use some of the funds to create a lasting memorial for her.

A Willis Group spokeswoman said: “Emma was a hard-working and respected colleague and a much loved and close personal friend to many.

“Since her death it has become apparent just how many people Emma helped in her quiet and unassuming way and Willis are working closely with the Harold family to ensure that the lovely memories we all have of her are kept alive.

“The Harold family visited Willis to see the newly sited bench and spent a quiet afternoon with us. Emma's sister Beccy attended with the rest of the family, and it was lovely to see her looking well.”

Scott Nicholls, 20, of West Villa, Woodbridge Road East, Ipswich, who is charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified, is due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on June 8 for a plea and case management hearing.

Are you raising money for charity in memory of a loved one? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

SINCE Emma's death her former colleagues have held a number of fundraising events in her memory.

They have already raised more than �1,400 through cake sales and dress down days for various charities, including St Elizabeth Hospice, which supported the family when Emma's mother died from breast cancer, and the Somersham Ward at Ipswich Hospital.

A group of 21 work friends have also decided to take part in the St Elizabeth Hospice's Midnight Walk next weekend.

They are hoping to raise �2,000 for the charity when they embark on the eight-mile walk across Ipswich in complete darkness next Saturday. To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/willismidnightwalk.