By Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 11:23, Thursday, 13 September 2012

THE mum of Kieran Goulding – the boy who tragically died in the Keswick School bus crash over two years ago – aims to complete a remarkable cycling challenge on what would have been his 18th birthday.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

Kieran was a “bike daft” teenager, says Tracey Nicholson, and as a tribute to him she is working to create ‘Kie Park’ – a multi-purpose facility for BMXs, scooters and skate-boarders at Hensingham.

Speaking to The Whitehaven News in her first interview since the tragedy on May 24, 2010 – which claimed the lives of Kieran, 15, and his schoolmate Chloe Walker, 16 – Tracey says she’ll get on her own bike to boost the fundraising.

“I have always wanted to do something for Kieran but, as a mum, it’s so hard to think anything other than my Kieran is outside with his friends and will be home soon,” says Tracey, of Ruskin Drive, Whitehaven.

“I know no-one understands and I truly hope they never do. But now it’s time for me to try to do something for Kieran and all his wonderful friends who have been there for me.”

Tracey has this week started a cycle challenge and aims to complete 900 virtual miles – the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats – with the sponsor money raised going towards creating Kie Park. It will take Tracey an average of 33 miles per day – in a mix of outdoor cycling and on static bikes at home and in the gym – and she hopes to complete the ‘journey’ on Kieran’s 18th birthday, October 3.

Recalling the day of the tragedy, Tracey said: “It was a hot, sunny day and, at 8.10am, Kieran went out of the house making jokes.

“At 4.45pm, I should have been getting a text from him to ask if it was OK to go out on his bike in the nice weather. He’d tell me he’d had something to eat and would have tea at 9pm when he came home.

“That text never came because, at 4.40pm, I got a call to say there had been an accident and to check if the boys were OK. I texted Kieran and rang but no answer.

“I went to Braithwaite School [where people gathered after the crash had happened] and sat until 8.30pm knowing nothing.”

It was then the full horror of what had happened began to emerge.

“When I saw Kieran’s picture on the news after it happened, it was as if it wasn’t real. I kept expecting him to come through the door at any time.

“With riding bikes being Kieran’s passion, I knew that aiming to provide a facility for young people in his name would be something he would appreciate and can be a legacy for the children of Whitehaven for many years to come.”

What began as an idea for a small bike track quickly grew as support for the scheme came from all quarters.

“It started as a little idea and it’s got bigger and bigger,” says Tracey. “We wanted to create somewhere locally because the closest bike track is Seascale and the public transport there is not great.

“We also wanted to get the kids involved from the start; they’d be the ones using it so we wanted them to help design it and so it belongs to everyone.

“Copeland Council has been very supportive and has identified an area of land it owns – close to Copeland Stadium – that would be suitable. It’s now a case of getting the funding together, with the Copeland Community Fund and others working on applying for grants, and this crazy challenge of mine will help push it forward!

“I like the idea of everyone working together to make the bike park happen; if someone offered us a magic cheque to pay for the whole thing, it wouldn’t be the same as if we’d raised the money ourselves.

“I’m determined – and a bit stubborn – and it’ll make it all the more worthwhile if I’ve helped achieve it myself.”

To kickstart her campaign, Hillside Garage in Distington has offered to donate £300 to Tracey for her to ride for three hours on its premises. She extends thanks to Hillside, and to Braemar Bikes in Whitehaven for the donation of a BMX, and to Whitehaven Rotary Club for a £200 donation.

To donate to Tracey’s campaign send a cheque (made payable to Kie Park) to her home address at 19 Ruskin Drive, Whitehaven, or take in person to The Whitehaven News office, Edgars (Rowrah), Hillside (Distington) or Plaza Cinema (Workington).

Contact Tracey on tracey.nicholson23@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/whitehavenbmxtrack.

First published at 11:10, Thursday, 13 September 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk