Memorial event for Wilpshire man killed in crash

2:39pm Sunday 27th April 2008

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FRIENDS of a music-lover killed in a car crash gathered for a final time to raise money in his name.

A tennis club was converted into an Ibizan nightclub for the last fundraising event in memory of Ashley Connell.

Friends and family of the 23-year-old have spent 12 months raising money following his death in a horrific smash in Mellor in April last year.

Ashley, of Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, died from multiple injuries when he was thrown from the front seat through the window of a red Honda Civic Type R being driven by a friend.

The four survivors were taken to hospital by helicopter and it was decided to raise funds for the North West Air Ambulance as a tribute to Ashley.

Cash has also been collected for Pendlebury Hospital, where Ashley was treated as a child. The former Bowland High School pupil was born with a condition called congenital hydrenal hyperplasia and was not expected to live for more than 12 weeks.

The final fundraising event was held on Saturday at Blackburn Northern Tennis Club and raised around £1,500.

Ashley was a big fan of the Ibiza music scene and the room was decked out to look like the carnival-themed nightclub DC10.

Over 100 people attended the £10-a-ticket event, labelled 'Last Do For t'Crew,' and took part in a raffle and silent auction to raise extra cash.

All revellers were given a pink wristband enscribed with 'Ashley Connell 5/2/84 - 21/4/07' and a CD of Ashley's favourite songs created by his DJ friends Ben Thompson and Johnny Davison. It included a remix of a song written in Ashley's memory by local band Money Shot.

Ashley's family - mum and dad Christine and Mick, sister Hayley and brother Lawson - were presented with a framed t-shirt that Ashley and his friends had signed during a trip to the World Cup in Germany.

Ann Hollins, of Ribchester Road, Blackburn, whose son Julian was in the car at the time of the tragedy, said the event was real success.

Mrs Hollins said: "It went really well and everbody had a great night.

"Ashley's family were there and it was really nice to see them at the party.

"Everybody has gone off with their wristbands in Ashley's memory."