On Sunday 16th October 2016 we drove Chon and his best friend, Ashley to London Heathrow Airport where we said an emotional goodbye to them both as they set off on their first ‘trip of a lifetime’. The plan was to visit Dubai for 5 days before travelling to Thailand, his country of birth.
We were lucky enough to adopt Chon as our only child in 1999 when he was 18 months old – now as an 18 year old we were letting him go and explore the big wide world for himself, with his best mate, experiencing its beauty and glory. On Friday 11th November 2016 Chon and Ashley were into the 2nd day of a 3 day motorcycle trip around Central Thailand. Chon was buzzing! On the afternoon of that Friday we were given the news that all parents fear and turned our life into a living nightmare, our beloved son, Chon, the centre of our world had tragically died in a road traffic accident. The country that had given up on him 18 years previously had now taken him back instantly whilst he was enjoying life to the full, at his most happiest, with his life ahead of him and all set to embrace it. We are Geoff and Jo Abbey – we are Chon’s parents and we are living in every parents worst fear. We have been thrown into a new life we did not seek and certainly do not welcome.
As Chon was adopted from Thailand we have organised several events in his memory raising funds supporting Baan Gerda Orphanage located near Lopburi, Central Thailand. This is an orphanage that cares for over 85 children. Ironically Lopburi was where Chon visited the monkey temple on 11 November 2016. The monies raised will be used to provide medical care and medicines, clothing, food, education plus school equipment as well as day to day running costs of the orphanage. As with many such orphanages they do rely on donations and support to continue their work ensuring the children receive the right level of care and support they deserve plus giving them similar opportunities and a love of life that Chon always had.