A CHARITY walk to mark one year since the death of the Newtown teenager Lewis Clarke will take place next month.
Lewis’ mother Gale Morris, her daughter Josie and her partner Roger, have been organising the event to raise money for the school Lewis attended – Treowen County Primary School.
Lewis was 19 when he was tragically killed by a single punch in an incident in Llanidloes on July 2, 2011.
Blaine Kirkham, of Newtown, was subsequently jailed by Caernarfon Crown Court for three-and-a-half years for Lewis’ manslaughter.
The popular youngster had attended drama school in London and dreamt of working in the entertainment industry after completing four years in the Royal Navy.
Gale explained that Treowen Primary School was where Lewis’ dramatic talents had first been noticed.
She said: “The purpose behind the walk is to raise money for the school where Lewis was noticed for his singing and acting. We just wanted to give something back to somewhere that helped him and Treowen School was an inspiration to Lewis.
“That was his thing, it’s what he wanted to do. He had gotten into the Navy but he was only signed up for four years and he wanted to go back to London and do singing and acting. That’s what he really wanted to do.
“It was because of Mr Picken and the staff there. Without them he would not have been in the position to go to drama school. They gave him the enthusiasm to want to do more with it and he was so funny, it was unreal. The comments we have now are amazing, people say ‘he was always smiling,’. He just wanted to be happy.”
Gale explained that instead of asking people to collect sponsorship to raise money they are printing special T-shirts which commemorate Lewis’ life.
The T-shirts, which are being produced by Newtown firm Constructiv Clothing, feature a picture of the 19-year-old and ‘In memory of Lewis’ written on the front. The back includes the words ‘our shining star’ and a sunflower, both of which appear on Lewis’ gravestone.
As well as T-shirts, wristbands are also available in blue and yellow to signify the navy and the sunflower.
Already 43 T-shirts have been sold as well as a staggering 400 wrist bands. Gale said she is hoping that around 60 or 70 people will join in with the event.
Gale invited anyone who wants to join the walk, which will follow the Santa Run route, to come along.
It will begin outside the Lion Public House in Newtown at 11.30am on Sunday, July 1.
Gale said people don’t have to wear T-shirts for the event and that all are welcome to take part and any donation will be appreciated.
The T-shirts cost £15 and must be ordered by Saturday, June 23. Anyone who wishes to do so can contact Gale on 07971 053143 or Roger on 07791 645717.
The wristbands are also available for £2.