Car Crew’s Cruise For Kenneth
A group of young people from the Channel Islands embarked on a fundraising "drive" of special significance.
Nursery assistant Leah Fitchett organised a "car cruise" around Jersey in memory of a dear friend Kenneth Mallett. Kenneth, a student of Highlands College, died at the age of 19. He had suffered from a heart condition since birth and had been transferred to the Wessex Cardiac Centre following his collapse in Jersey. Sadly Kenneth passed away shortly after. Leah and her boyfriend Victor Nobrega were the main organisers of the motoring event which took in Kenneth's favourite scenic spots on the island.
A group known as the "Car Crew", of which Kenneth had been a member and had the nickname "Kenichiwa", undertook the poignant trip and released helium balloons with personal messages at St Catherine's Point. They also drove past Kenneth's house and former school, before arriving at their final destination, Noirmont Point, where they held a fireworks display in his memory. Leah, of Grouville, first met Kenneth through their part-time jobs at a supermarket on the island. "Everybody just loved him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and he was always a good friend."
"This was a day not only to raise money for Wessex Heartbeat, but a chance for close friends to remember fond memories of a dear friend who is greatly missed," added Leah. "It brought us all together and I hope that it was a fitting tribute to him. He drove a Ford Fiesta which was his pride and joy and he always had it gleaming."
The car cruise and sale of car stickers raised more than £150 for Wessex Heartbeat. A special thanks to Tania Goncalves and Richard Ali who supplied the helium balloons.
