£3k raised to honour tragic Shropshire father and son
Almost 200 people helped to raise nearly £3,000 at an annual charity event held in memory of a father and son.
Debbie Howlett, from Market Drayton, held the charity evening in memory of her husband Symon, 32, and son Jay, five, who died when a wave swept them away in November 2007.
The tragedy happened in the resort town of Tossa de Mar, on the Costa Brava in north-eastern Spain after the youngster and his brother Thomas, who was nine at the time, were knocked off a rock by a freak wave.
Symon managed to pull Thomas back to shore before carrying Jay on his back.
But they were overcome by the current and died before rescue teams were able to pull them from the water.
In March each year Mrs Howlett puts on an event to remember them, as March 26 would have been Symon’s birthday.
This year the charity night took place on Friday at the Royal British Legion Club in Market Drayton. The band Hipster performed and there was a raffle, hot food, a disco and an auction.
She said: "The event went absolutely amazingly, I couldn't have asked for a better night.
"In previous years people have been able to pay on the door on the night but this time tickets had sold out before the night, which was just fantastic.
"Everyone had a really good time, and I can't thank the community enough for continuing to support me, that includes those who come along to the event, those who rally around to help me with it, the entertainment, the Royal British Legion Club, as well as the local businesses, I'm so grateful to everyone.
"I'm glad the event continues to grow because for me it's about doing something good out of something so awful, that keeps me going."
The night raised a total of £2,900 – with £2,650 being donated to Asthma UK and £250 going to the Tiny Tigers Junior Football Club in Market Drayton, which Mrs Howlett's son Jay used to attend.
Mrs Howlett says she is now already thinking ahead to next year's event – which will be 10 years since the tragedy,
Mrs Howlett also runs a bereavement support group. The Just About You Support (JAYS) group, which meets on the third Thursday of every month from 7pm to 9pm at Christ Church in Little Drayton, near Market Drayton.
The group allows people to share stories and feelings about their loved ones.
For more information contact Mrs Howlett on 07917 194122.
