FAMILY and friends of tragic Halesowen youngster Tom Oakes, who died in a motorcycle accident, have begun raising funds to pay for a memorial bench in Haden Hill Park.

Two years on from the 19-year-old's death when he crashed his 125cc Yamaha into railings on the junction of Coombs Road and Amber Way his family and friends are coming together to raise the £700 needed to place a bench in his memory.

Over the coming months, the group plans to arrange fundraising events to reach their target, with any further donations being given to Birmingham Children’s hospital.

Tom's sister Leah Oaks is helping lead the fundraising campaign.

She said: "We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from Tom’s friends over the last couple of years, they really have been a fantastic support.

"It’s wonderful to see that Tom’s memory is living on and it will be lovely to have somewhere to go where we can all remember him.’

Since the group’s Go Fund Me page was created on September 9, more than £450 has been donated towards the cause.

Tom's friend Trace Andrews said: "What a lovely idea for a place to remember Tom. I will definitely be donating."

Another friend Adam Jones added: "Tom was such a lovely and popular person, and this memorial will be a lasting tribute to him. It has been amazing to see the response we’ve had so far and we’re really grateful to everybody who has made a donation."

To keep up to date with their fundraising, or to make a donation, visit Tom Oakes Memorial Bench page on Facebook or visit www.gofundme.com/TomOakesMemorial.