downsmail.co.uk
Teenager remembered at launch of charity trust
THE parents of a teenager who died in a road accident will mark his 21st birthday by launching a charitable trust. Pete and Kate Funnell said their
liveswere “ripped apart”whentheir only son Will was killed in a car crash at the foot of Linton Hill, Mar- den, inAugust 2013. Driver John Junior Forrest (21)was
found to be almost three times the drink-drive limit and had traces of cocaine in his blood when he lost control of the car, killing himself and 19-year oldWill. Will (pictured)was adopted by the Funnells when hewas three months old. After leaving Angley School in Cranbrook he worked for the family landscaping business. Dad Pete, who had planned even-
tually to pass on the business to him, said he andWill enjoyed a round of golf and socialising together. He recalls: “Will was a character.
He was into everything and was al- ways modelling the latest clothing and hairstyles, not to mention find- ing mischief, as most boys do. ”As he became a cool young man,
On Saturday, June 27, the couple
will launch theWill Funnell Trust, at a black tie event at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel in Holling- bourne. The event, which features tribute
he left a lasting impression on every- one he met. He was a hit with the ladies and loved the outdoors, play- ing guitar, riding motorbikes, fine wine and food.” Will and his parentswere living in Golford, near Cranbrook, at the time of the accident, but he had just bought a house in Pembroke Road, Coxheath – along the road from his grandparents – which he was plan- ning to renovate before moving in. Now, Pete and Kate have moved
into the house instead to be close to Pete’s parents, Pete Snr and Doreen Funnell.
Wildlife
actA Vision of Elvis, a three-course dinner, auction and dancing to two bands, has been organised to pro- mote the work of the trust, bringing bereaved families together to share a common comfort. Kate said: “AfterWill’s death, we reached out for help, only to find that local bereavement councillors were overwhelmed. We sought counselling andwere finally offered an appointment – in January this year.” The trust also wants to raise
awareness of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and of speeding. Kate said: “Ifwe can help save one
life, thenWill’s life won’t have been in vain.”
Donations of auction or raffle
prizes will be mostwelcome. For de- tails go to
www.thewillfunnell-
trust.com.
News Bungalows on
garage site A PROPOSAL has been submitted to replace a garage with two chalet bungalows near Bearsted. The planning application for land adjacent to 15 Caring Lane includes two parking spaces per dwelling. An objector said the scheme
would add to traffic on a road in which volumes have already risen in recent years since IT company G Forceswas given consent to expand. They wrote: “Planning permission
was also recently turned down for a development next to 22 Caring Lane, and 1 Caring Lane also had a development declined. “A precedent has been set for all
these properties to maintain the land as an area of outstanding beauty and I feel strongly that this should be continued.” Maidstone Council will decide.
Bid to fell beech
HARRIETSHAM Parish Council has objected to a proposal to fell a protected beech tree at 17 Baldwin’s Place. The applicant says the tree has
basal decay but the council believes there is not sufficient justification for its removal. Maidstone Council will decide the planning application.
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