The heartbroken step-father of a 12-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run outside his school says the family is overwhelmed by the support they have been given in their ‘darkest hours’ as well-wishers raise £50,000.
Ryan Rigden said they had received an ‘outpouring of love’ from parents all over Britain since Harley Watson was struck outside the school gates in Essex on Monday. Four other children were also hit and injured.
A crowdfunding page was set up by Jennie Ward, who does not know the family, to pay for Harley’s funeral costs and relieve any financial burdens on the family.
In a message to Ms Ward, Mr Rigden said the tributes to Harley had ‘brought some comfort’ to him and Harley’s mother Jo Wood as they grieve for the loss of their son.
The heartbroken step-father of 12-year-old Harley Watson (pictured with his mother Jo Wood in 2013) who was killed in a hit-and-run outside his school says the family is overwhelmed by the support they have been given in their ‘darkest hours’ as well-wishers raise £50,000
Ryan Rigden (right, with Harley and is partner Jo Wood) said they had received an ‘outpouring of love’ from parents all over Britain since the boy was mown down on Monday
A crowdfunding page, set up by Jennie Ward – who did not know the family – to pay for Harley’s funeral costs and relieve any financial burdens on the family
He spoke to Ms Ward, a local mum, to pass on the family’s gratitude to those who have donated.
Harley was knocked down and killed outside Debden Park High School in Loughton, Essex, just after school had finished on Monday.
Terry Glover, 51, has been arrested on suspicion of his murder, as well as the attempted murder of four teenagers and a 23-year-old woman who were hurt in the crash.
It has emerged that he was known to the police and Essex Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of ‘previous contact’.
Ms Ward, whose two elder children were friends with Harley at Primary School said: ‘His family are heartbroken and the whole of Loughton is in mourning.
‘Harley’s step-father reached out to me online to say that the family have been so overwhelmed by the support they’ve had from people all around the country. He said that seeing the outpouring of love has helped them in their darkest hours.
‘They have read all the comments from people, particularly those in the community, and it’s brought them some comfort at this devastating time. Ryan wanted to say how grateful he is for that.
‘No parent should have to go what they are going through, we take it for granted that our children come home safely when the school bell rings.
Harley was knocked down and killed and five others were injured outside Debden Park High School in Loughton, Essex, just after school had finished on Monday
Terry Glover, 51, has been arrested on suspicion of his murder, as well as the attempted murder of four teenagers and a 23-year-old woman who were hurt in the crash
‘We just want Ryan and Harley’s mother Jo to know that they are all in our thoughts.’
Ms Ward said that just ten minutes before the horror attack at Debden Park, her friend’s child had been forced to flee when the same driver targeted another school.
Youngsters at Roding Valley High School escaped when they ran past an alleyway when the motorist mounted the kerb.
She added: ‘My children go to Roding Valley so what happened at Debden Park could have so easily have happened to them.
‘The driver meant to do the same. He drove up onto the path at a group of schoolchildren but luckily they managed to run out of the way just on the bend past an alleyway on Brook Road.
‘A friend of mine said their child was involved in that first incident and was really shaken up because she called me about half an hour after the incident at Debden Park.’
Jenni Ward who set up the GoFundMe page ‘No parent should have to go what they are going through, we take it for granted that our children come home safely when the school bell rings’
Ms Ward said ten minutes before the horror attack at Debden Park, her friend’s child had been forced to flee when the same driver targeted another school. Youngsters at Roding Valley High School escaped when they ran down an alleyway when the motorist mounted the kerb
Another parent, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline that the man being quizzed by police had previously told officers he was having dark thoughts about harming children.
The mother said: ‘He was well known for making threats against people, including children.
‘He’d apparently told police that he was getting messages in his head to harm children.
‘It’s just awful, how anyone can do that is beyond me.’
:: The GoFundMe page for Harley can be found here .