SIX wells have been built in Africa after £20,000 was raised by parents determined to build a legacy for their son who died in a car accident two days after Christmas in Wotton-under-Edge.

Eighteen-year-old Rory Evans was killed after his car collided with a van on an accident blackspot on Wotton Road on December 27 last year.

In the aftermath of the tragedy his parents, Tony and Karen from Tabernacle Road, were determined that something good should come out of it and came up with the idea of Rory’s Well.

The plan was to use his savings and donations to help charity Alive and Well fund a full-time drilling team in Sierra Leone to dig one well.

However donations have poured in and they have already helped build six wells in the country with the highest infant mortality rate in the world, and they plan to build even more.

Mrs Evans said the family have been overwhelmed with the generosity of people.

“The response has been way beyond our wildest dreams and we are incredibly grateful for the support of us and our cause in building such an amazing legacy in Rory’s memory,” she said.

“We have had amazing support from all of Rory’s and our friends and family since January in so many ways and continue to be overwhelmed and eternally grateful.

“People have organised fantastic fund raising events and generously donated."

The region’s MP, Senesi Fawundu, who ensures that every penny goes towards the building of the wells, has already visited Wotton-under-Edge to say thank you personally.

In turn, family and friends of Rory have travelled to the African country twice at their own expense to check on progress and dedicate the wells dug to date.

More wells are planned to be built in October once the rainy season is over as the area becomes inaccessible.

This has all been made possible with a number of fundraising events, including Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School and Clifton College holding a dress down day, several cake sales, a sponsored netball tournament run by Phoenix Netball Ladies.

In addition a mountain bike festival held in Kingswood, Heaven of the South, which is run by Al King of Al’s Cyclery, raised over £12,000 for the charity.

Future events include friend of the family Richard Child’s attempt to tackle a 12,000ft mountain stage of the Tour De France on July 20 in memory of Rory.

In addition the Uley All Sorts and Elderly Brothers are holding their annual charity concert at Matara with all donations going to Rory’s Well and matched by Barclays.

To donate to the charity, visit justgiving.com/roryswell or to donate to Richard Child, visit justgiving.com/Richard-Child1