The family of a teenager who died abroad last year say they are planning to raise as much money as possible for charity in his honour.
James Fifield, from Marlow, was killed when a drunk driver hit his quadbike while he was on holiday in Zante, Greece, celebrating the end of his A-Level studies.
The 18-year-old died 11 months ago today (July 5) and his mother Claire Fifield-Moore say they are planning a number of fundraising activities next month to mark the anniversary of the tragedy.
The first event will be a football match for the James Fifield Memorial Cup with the money raised going to Kids in Sport, a charity which helps disabled and disadvantaged youngsters to get active.
Speaking about the charity, Mrs Fifield-Moore said: “It’s a charity that basically works within a 13-mile radius of Wycombe and it assists disadvantaged children and disabled children – it was something James was very passionate about.
“And he did some work with people at Stoke Mandeville [Hospital] and loved it, so we have teamed up with Kids in Sport and will support them. Any money we will raise under James’ name will go to Kids in Sport.”
James Fifield memorial match following his death.
The former Wye Valley School (now Bourne End Academy) student used to play for Hughenden and Flackwell Heath football teams and was planning to coach football for children in America next month with one of his friends.
As well as the memorial match, about 15 family and friends, including James’ mother, will be involved in a skydive in August.
She said: “This is my worst fear and that’s exactly why I’m doing it.
“My friend said to me do something every year, do a marathon, and I thought “no, I don’t do training”.
“If I just turn up and somebody throws me out of a plane then I haven’t got a choice, and I think once I’ve landed it I will be trilled.
“James absolutely hated flights, in fact the night they were flying off to Zante he was checking out the statistics of air deaths and what the likelihood is.
“That’s why I’m doing it, because if he’s looking down at me he will think she does care, she’s thrown herself out of a plane.”
She added: “You’ve got to put yourself out there – life is too short.”
The family are still waiting details to be finalised for charity collections and the timing of the football game.
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