SCHOOL friends of a Berkeley teenager who was killed while riding his bike last year hosted a memorial event for him last week.

Since the death of 14-year-old Louis Eldridge in May, his friends have hosted a series of events to raise money for a memorial at his school.

With over £1,000 raised, their initial plans to buy a bench to be located at Rednock School in Dursley were changed to purchase a second bench at his grave, as well as a ceanothus tree to go next to the school seat.

Once it grows, the tree will produce blue blooms - Louis’ favourite colour.

At Friday’s memorial event his parents Michael and Kate unveiled the bench and planted the tree watched by dozens of Louis’ friends and members of his family.

Speaking to the crowd, Kate thanked everyone for their support and said that she hoped Rednock students would “get a bit of joy” out of the bench and tree.

Headteacher Dave Alexander said that the bench and tree would provide a place for students to reflect.

“A lot of his friends are still here which makes it an appropriate place to hold a memorial for Louis – in a place where he had so many friends and was so lively,” he said.

“The number of students who wanted to mark this – and none of this came from staff – is amazing to see and to have everything unveiled in front of so many people here who really care about Louis is great.

“This bench and tree will be here forever and will give everyone a place to reflect.

“Students over many, many years will know what Louis meant to us.”
A further speech was given by student, and friend of Louis, Paige Collard who said that Louis “always lit up the room”.

The memorial was organised solely by students who after fundraising, purchased the benches and tree as well as inviting Louis’ friends and family to attend.