Hello everybody,

Firstly let me say a huge thank you for taking the time to visit Ben's just giving page.

I hope that together we can raise money in Ben's memory and pay tribute to Ben by helping researchers fight to tackle heart disease.

The funds raised will be donated to the British Heart Foundation and will contribute to; furthering understanding of heart conditions, developing new treatments and screening tools, to help save lives. I know this is something Ben would have been passionate about.

I am determined that his charity will be successful and not only help research, but also serve to ensure his family and friends continue to meet to raise funds, share stories and fond memories of happy times spent with Ben. I am currently in the process of setting up a charitable organisation in his name, but will use his just giving page in the mean time.

On the 21st December 2015 we lost Ben, he was only 20 years old. His death was tragic and senseless and the world will never be the same for those who's lives he touched. He loved life, his family, his friends, his job and he was in the prime of his life. I know like me, you will think of Ben every minute of every day. He was my my world, my treasure, the apple of my eye, mummy's little soldier (sorry Ben, but it's true).

I call on you all to recall only the happy times you spent with my lovely son. He was one of a kind, since his death I have come to know many sides of Ben I hadn't known before and been reminded of others I always loved at home. Ben the elite athlete, the accomplished soldier, the loving son, the steadfast friend, the devoted boyfriend, the happy joker and the innumerable other roles he embodied so well. I am happy to know that each of you saw these qualities, it is testament to the kind of person he was that so many of you have rallied around to support us in this dark hour. It sounds cliché and I've heard this said many times before, but until now have never really understood what people meant when they say "they were the light in the room"...but now I say that about Ben. He was the light of my life, our lives and I'll make sure that light is never extinguished. We can all ensure that his light continues to shine brightly by standing strong, by standing together and pledging to help Ben leave a lasting legacy.

Please make a donation in lieu of flowers at Ben's funeral on the 18th January, be it a lot or a little, every penny matters and let me thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart for your contribution to Ben's cause.

I send my love to you all and hope it finds you and yours well. Forever grateful and forever thankful to each of you for enriching Ben's life.

Louise

 XoX