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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Finnegan

Balloon release held in memory of four-year-old boy who died in off-road bike crash in Bishop Auckland

A balloon release was held in memory of a four-year-old boy who tragically died in a bike crash in County Durham.

Lennox Railton-Cragg died after the off-road bike he was on collided with a lamppost in the Eldon Lane area of Bishop Auckland on Sunday, January 23 at around 1pm.

The little boy was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle but nothing could be done to save his life.

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Following his tragic death, exactly a week after the tragedy, family and friends gathered at 1pm on Sunday at the scene to remember the youngster.

Hundreds of blue balloons were released into the sky while a big board with pictures of Lennox was held up.

And now family friend, Luke Weldon, is trying to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service as well as his school Prince Bishops Community Primary School.

A Go Fund Me page was set up and so far more than £1,200 has been raised.

Luke said: "Half of the money will go to the Great North Air Ambulance and half will go to the school.

"The school has offered lots of support for the family and the Great North Air Ambulance relies on donations to keep going.

"I'd love to raise as much as possible but I have a target of £2,500.

"I just wanted to do something good out of a bad situation. His death was a bit of a shock for the community.

"He was just a normal child, it's just so sad. They're quite well known so people want to help."

TV star Scarlett Moffatt, who is from Bishop Auckland, donated £50 and also shared the link on her Facebook page.

The fundraising page was also shared by Lennox's school which said it plans to commission a permanent memorial to the much-loved little boy.

In a statement, the school said: "Many parents have asked over the last week if they can donate to help the family of Lennox.

"Very selflessly, they have said that they don't want anything for themselves but would like donations to go to the Great North Air Ambulance and the school.

"We plan to commission a permanent memorial to Lennox on the school grounds. A friend of the family has set up a Go Fund Me page or you can contribute in person at the school office."

The school previously released a moving tribute to Lennox, who they described as being "an amazing friend".

It said: "Lennox was a joy. He was such a happy boy who always had a smile for staff and other children. He loved playing with the dinosaurs and in the water but his favourite thing to do was to play outside.

"He was an amazing friend and could be often seen holding another child's hand and he would go and get a tissue for anyone who was upset.

"We're absolutely heartbroken by the news. Lennox will be hugely missed by all of the staff at school, especially those who were privileged enough to teach and support him."

If you would like to donate to the Go Fund Me page, you can do so here.

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