Sidcup Youth Centre is part of Bexley Youth Service and is home to lots of different projects involving local young people.
A dedicated team of ten staff work with over 100 members on programmes that allow them to enjoy, achieve and develop skills for the future. It is a place where young people usually go to relax and socialise, but in 2007 it was struck by tragic events.
On 9th July James Herring, a member of the youth club, died in a car accident. At just 16, he had a bright future ahead of him when his life was cut tragically short, as his friend Ashleigh explained: "James had already achieved so much in his life. He'd just finished his GCSEs and got his Level One qualification in FA coaching. He’d also been accepted into North West Kent football team, which he was thrilled about."
Jane Goodridge, a youth worker at the centre, also has fond memories of James. "He was always smiling and could be quite cheeky. He always loved to play football, talk to the girls at the club and have a laugh and a joke."
To help cope with the grieving process, some of the staff and young people went on a residential trip to Hindleap Warren Outdoor Education Centre on 24th July. Here tragedy struck again.
On the first night of the trip, volunteer youth worker Richard Gough suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 25. "Richard was extremely popular" said Jackie Estaugh, one of the youth workers at Sidcup. "All the young people liked him and he was a valued member of the staff team."
Despite their great sadness, the staff and young people were determined to do something positive to remember both James and Richard. On August 9th Sidcup Youth Centre held a memorial football match.
Many members of the club played against a team made up of local police officers as well as former players and youth academy members of Charlton Athletic.
Money was also raised to go towards a lasting memorial. Danny Cooper, a member of the youth centre and a friend of James since he was two years old, said "The football match was a great way to remember James and Richard as they both loved the game".
The young people also overcame their upset and returned to Hindleap Warren in November to complete their residential. On December 4th, the Youth Centre held its annual awards celebration to recognise the achievements of its young people.
The young people who took part in the football match and the residential received special recognition for their contributions. Sidcup Youth Centre also renamed its volunteer award The Richard Gough Award as joint winner Danny Cooper explained: "Last year Richard was runner up for the National Volunteer of the Year award, so we renamed our own award in his honour. It felt really good to win this award with Joe [the
other award winner] and I really wasn't expecting it.”
We, the young people of Sidcup Youth Centre, would like to thank everyone who offered their support throughout this tough time. In loving memory of James Herring and Richard Gough, they will always live on in our hearts and minds.
About this article
Written and researched by George Andrew, 16, Ashleigh Cooper, 14, Louis Ebdon, 17, Luci Ebdon, 13, Jessica Lydiate, 15, Ross McGregor, 16, Joe Nicholls, 16, and Dan Wilson, 16.
