Stowmarket boy William Warren remembered by bikers

Motorbikes of all shapes and sizes joined the seventh annual ride out in memory of a 10-year-old Stowmarket boy who died in a road accident.

The Ride out for William event was to remember William Warren who was was struck by a car when he was coming home from school and stepped on to Navigation Approach in the town, on October 6, 2011.

His father, Tim, said: “This is always an emotional day for everybody but it kind of brings it all together and helps remember him.

“I had mixed emotions when we first started this but all William’s friends wanted it and it has grown from there.”

Riders at the event included the East Anglian Bikers, with William’s mother Tracey, sister Kate and Jess Chaplin, who was one of William’s friends and tried to stop him stepping into the road on that fateful day, riding pillion with some of the bikers.

Tim, who was riding his own bike, said: “If this ride out just jogs one child’s mind to think about being careful when crossing the road – that is the message we want.”

William suffered serious head injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics who were assisted by the air ambulance.

He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where his life support was turned off on October 12, 2011.

Tim said: “We were told the previous day that William’s life support machine would be turned off,

“My whole world just fell out beneath me, you should never have to bury your children.”

The ride out collects for the East Anglian Air Ambulance every year and William’s sister had already raised nearly £400 on a Facebook fund-raising page before the ride out took place.

The route began at Beacon Hill Service Station on the A14 and went to Navigation Approach, where wreaths had been laid, and finally Needham Market cemetery where William is buried.

Tim said in his speech to the assembled bikers before the ride: “He was a lovely little boy who wanted to help everybody. He was crossing the road to give sweets to a little boy that didn’t have any and that was his last act of kindness.

“He will be looking down now and loving this, so thank you all for coming from our family, as it means so much to us that you all have come together.”

To donate to the fund-raising page for East Anglian Air Ambulance, go to www.facebook.com/donate/1923814874398330/