Memorial area opened in honour of Vale mum

Mother of three Diana Burgess died in a tragic road accident on October 16 in 2012.

Ever since a fundraising group has been working hard to raise thousands of pounds to create a family friendly seating area, which has now been installed on the Sheppey playing fields in Cropthorne.

They chose the area as it was where Mrs Burgess, who lived in Hampton, Evesham, and her young daughters Hannah, Eve and Emma, would often go.

The area consists of a large bench, a small table and four small animal shaped pods for youngsters to sit on, which were sculpted by Tewkesbury based sculptor Tom Harvey.

To raise the money for the hand crafted area the friends came up with a variety of fundraising ideas including a calendar in which they posed nude for tasteful shots taken around the Vale and a murder mystery night.

They have also been supported by local groups including the Cropthorne Walkabout committee, who recently donated £350, enabling the group to order another animal stool.

Sally Mothersole, a friend of Mrs Burgess, said they were delighted to have reached the stage where people can enjoy the area and thanked all that had been contributed to the appeal.

"I think Diana's memorial area will show to everyone who visits, strangers and friends alike, just how much Diana was truly loved by so many people.

"I hope when people visit here, they will feel welcomed in, feel Diana's warmth and hear her infectious laugh travelling in the wind through the trees."

At the opening event Kevin Burgess, Mrs Burgess' husband, spoke a few words of thanks and cut the ribbon with Mrs Mothersole, who said she believed her friend would have been proud by what they achieved.

She added: "I think this journey has brought people together, made people laugh, made people face their fears and above all, everyone has had a right old giggle.

"I don't like to presume but I think Diana would be tickled pink at what we've all achieved together."