The grieving family of tragic Southend schoolboy Brian Mulenga have laid their son to rest in his native Zambia after a massive response to an appeal to raise cash to fly them home.
Friends and colleagues of his mum Hildah, a staff nurse at the Wellesley Hospital, made the desperate appeal in the Evening Echo to raise cash to send his dad, mum, sister and Brian home for a funeral.
Brian, 13, suffered severe head injuries when he was in collision with a Mercedes on the London-bound carriageway of Eastern Avenue while trying out a friend's bike on October 28.
The devastated family, from Cromwell Road, needed nearly £4,500 for them all to fly to Zambia for a funeral in his hometown which was due to take place yesterday.
And they were overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity shown by friends, colleagues and Evening Echo readers.
Lynda Mason, a colleague of Brian's mum, said: "There was a huge response from relatives, colleagues and very kind donations from Echo readers.
"We needed to raise £2,400 for Brian to be sent back and another £650 each for the family. I didn't think we would be able to raise enough to send all three home and it would have been terrible for them to leave one behind but we managed to do it."
She said the family wanted to thank all the donors, as well as the paramedics, the critical care team, and police liaison officer.
Anyone with information about the accident which happened at 1pm on Monday, October 28, is asked to contact PC Pat Whitehead, at Rayleigh traffic police on 01268 775533.
Published Friday November 8, 2002
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