As a charity RoadPeace relies on the amazing efforts of so many people who raise money for us to fund our vital services, often in memory of precious loved ones. Each month we will be highlighting someone amazing doing something amazing for RoadPeace.

This month we want to tell you about Kerry Copperthwaite who has been has been organising an annual fundraising event in memory of her son Harry and has raised an incredible £28500 for RoadPeace. In her own words:

‘I’ve been raising money for RoadPeace in loving memory of my son Harry Copperthwaite Smith who was a died as a passenger in a fatal car crash on 13th November 2012 aged 17 years.

Harry was an amazing young man, always thinking and helping others almost as soon as he could walk. It started with his Grandad but continued through his life, from helping at lunchtimes in Primary and Secondary School with the ‘Snack Shack’ staff, washing the Gym floors with the cleaner to digging holes with the Maintenance Staff because he just loved to help!!

The most recent ‘good deed’ he did was this summer just before he died. The chap he worked for was getting married and had a marquee in the paddock, filled with all the catering for the wedding. He couldn’t risk leaving it unattended. So, typical Harry offered to sleep over two nights, at not quite 17, in the marquee so no one could steal anything!!He even hoovered up which he never did at home and was responsible for lighting the ‘Hog roasts’. No pressure because if he hadn’t lit them early enough everyone would go hungry!! The thank you card he received from them showed me just how trustworthy, dependable and reliable Harry had become and grown up. I was so proud of him.

His loss was shown by the ‘wonderfully fitting’ send-off he had. We had a Tractor Run – Harry was a farming lad born and bred – with 63 tractors and Land Rovers and nearly 550 people saying goodbye at the Chapel! I never appreciated what a fine and upstanding young man he had become and I am so proud and privileged to have been his mum.

I hope the money that I have raised will help in this very good cause close to our hearts to help avoid such devastating losses, young and old.’

Since Harry’s death, every year Kerry has organised a Spring Collective Tractor sale and an annual Tractor Run with huge support from the local community. Thank you Kerry for your amazing contribution to RoadPeace.

Updated on: 20 January 2020