A TEENAGER who survived a tragic car accident which claimed the lives of four young men from across the region last year has organised a fundraising event in their memory.
Matthew Simpson of Caversfield, near Bicester, was the sole survivor of a car accident in Westbury on June 1 last year which claimed the lives of 18-year-olds James Bowyer of Marsh Gibbon, Lee Grimshaw from Brackley, Edward Manders-Naden of Calvert G
reen and Kirk Nokes from Buckingham.
Now Matthew hopes to raise money for road safety charity Brake, as well as encouraging young motorists to care on the region's roads.
Matthew said: "There aren't enough words to describe how I feel but I would not want anyone else to experience what me and the families of my friends feel.
"I would like their friends to join me at this event in their memory."
The event will be held at the Buckingham Rugby Club in Maids Moreton, on Saturday, June 27 and will include both live music and a DJ.
Margaret Wells, whose son Kirk died in the tragedy, thanked Matthew and his parents Jane and Howard Meakin for organising the event.
Mrs Wells said: "Remembering the boys is the main thing.
"The fact they died so young was tragic. I wouldn't want anyone's family to be in the position we have been."
Brake produces education literature, runs community training programmes and events including the Road Safety Week in November.
Kate Shepherd, fundraising manager for Brake, said they were grateful for the amazing effort put in by Matthew and others to organise the event.
She said: "Without donations from events like this we wouldn't be able to continue our work.
"The money raised will help us spread life-saving safety messages and to offer support to those bereaved or injured by a road crash."
Tickets for the event cost £10 and can be purchased by calling Jane Meakin on 07793 381511, from Arthur's Radio hairdressers, Buckingham, Buckingham School or from Alfred Truman Solicitors in Buckingham and Bicester.
