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 Be More Ben

Ben and his dad Lee Rogers during a day out at Zip World in North Wales

THE FAMILY of a ‘fun, loving and kind’ man who died in a tragic road traffic collision are vowing to keep raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity in his name.

Ben Rogers, 19, was a passenger when the car he was travelling in was involved in a crash at Northway Garage, Bishopston, Swansea, in May 2022.

Ben’s mum Carla King said: “It is two years since we lost Ben. It’s left such a huge hole in all our lives.

“He was always happy, always smiling. He had hundreds of friends, everybody loved him. 

“Ben was just so caring and very supportive of all his female friends, through various things. 

“He was always looking out for them and would make sure they got home safely after a night out.”

Ben excelled at science and maths and had hoped to become an electrical engineer.

Carla added: “Ben was due to finish college the following summer, so he had been applying for apprenticeships. 

“He had a very bright future ahead. Like all young people, he wanted a nice house and a nice car. It is just devastating that he did not get to fulfil his dreams. We miss him so much.”

The family created the Be More Ben Facebook page, to continue Ben’s legacy. Carla said: “We hope it will encourage everyone to be a bit more like Ben. Kind, non-judgemental. He was always seeing the positive in situations.”

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An annual fundraising event has also been created in his honour to help raise money for charitable organisations. This year, over 120 people took part in a bike ride in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance and the road safety charity Brake.

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. 

It is delivered via a unique Third sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.

As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.

Carla said: “So many people supported us at the time of the crash, and they continue to do so by helping us fundraise for causes close to our heart.

“On the 1st of June, we had two events both starting at Bonymaen Rugby Club has been incredible the past two years. I cannot thank their team enough. We could not have done this without their help.”

She continued: “Around 100 men took part in a road bike challenge travelling about thirty-five miles around Swansea and beyond, popping into all the rugby clubs.

“Also, around forty women did an indoor cycling event covering half-hour slots.

“There were lots of prizes donated to our raffle too, people have been so generous. We are hugely grateful for the kindness that has been shown to us.”

Carla and Ashleigh taking part in the indoor event at Bonymaen Rugby Club

The event raised over £12,000 and Ben’s sister Ashleigh Rogers said: “It is unbelievable really; we still cannot believe how much has been raised.

“We’re just delighted that two incredible causes are going to benefit.”

Ben and Ashleigh were like best friends. They were “always together” and “so close.”

She said: “He came everywhere with me, and I think he wouldn’t believe what we’ve done in his memory.

“He would love all the attention. I took a cardboard cutout of him to Escape in the Park because he had tickets. It would have been the first time he had been to it.

“I can imagine him being like, what are you doing?”

She continued: “We want to keep growing our fundraiser. People keep asking us what are you going to do next?”

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £11.2 million each year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. Donations and fundraising events are key to the service’s survival.

Ashleigh said: “I feel like every week we see an air ambulance; we’ve got so many fields around us; they’re always landing in the area.

“When you realise how much it all costs, you realise how much the service really depends on fundraising events like ours to help cover that.

“We are so proud of the amount we raised. I know £6,000 doesn’t sound much, but it does all add up.”

Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager Christian Sullivan said: “We are so grateful to Ben’s family and friends for fundraising for our charity in his memory.

“He was an incredible young man, with a bright future ahead and his legacy lives on through the charitable work being done in his name.

“We rely on the generosity of fundraisers like this and £12,000 is an incredible amount which we are honoured to share with Brake.

“This generous donation will help go towards keeping our helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road.

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