VOLUNTEERS BUILD HOME FOR FAMILY ROCKED BY TRAGEDY
A YOUNG Nuneaton family whose lives were turned upside down by a tragic death now have a new home - and a new addition.
Rugby player Jamie Styles died after being knocked off his motorbike in February, just weeks before he was due to become a dad for the first time.
The death of the popular 28-year-old sent shock waves through the community and it was made more heartbreaking by the fact his girlfriend Emily was eight months pregnant.
Just days after Jamie’s death, Manor Park RFC started a projet to renovate the home the couple and Emily’s two children, along with their impending new arrival, were due to move into once it was brought up to scratch.
Now the house has been completely transformed and Jamie’s grieving girlfriend Emily has moved into the house along with her three children. She has now heaped praise on everyone involved with the project.
She said: “I’m overwhelmed by the show of support from everyone, it has been absolutely incredible.
“I know Jamie would be so proud of the way people have pulled together. I cannot thank everyone enough for what they have done for me and my family.”
Jamie died on Tuesday, February 25, when he was knocked from his motorbike on the A444 Coventry Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a matter of weeks, more than £9,000 was raised through donations from companies, more than a dozen rugby and sporting clubs plus countless individual donations.
The Sunday after Jamie’s funeral on Friday, March 17, the project started at their Bulkington home, headed by Manor Park RFC’s development officer, Nigel Ellis.
Midway through the property overhaul, Emily gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Iyla.
After hundreds of hours of volunteer time, massive amounts of items and services donated, and plenty of stress and strain – Mr Ellis could reflect on a job well done.
“I know this has made a massive difference to Emily and her immediate outlook. Obviously she’s lost her partner, she’s lost the father to little Iyla.
“Iyla is going to grow up without Jamie around – that breaks my heart. We’ve managed to contribute something that’ll make these next couple of weeks and months that little bit easier and that’s worth its weight in gold. I’m gobsmacked by the generosity of spirt, the generosity of individuals.”