15/05/2025
10 years ago our world fell apart, miss you every single day Special K 💙
Losing a child is the worst thing that can happen to any parent, and our lives have been shattered since the evening of Friday May 15th 2015 when Kian was knocked off his bicycle by a speeding motorist who showed no remorse in court on a poorly council maintained national cycle route at the junction of Bonehams Lane near Gilmorton.
On this day, Siân and I were in South Africa working on our annual Soccer-Literacy project. We were with our team from Lutterworth High School, where Siân teaches and I am a governor, helping children who really need it. Kian and our eldest son, Carter, were being looked after by Grandparents.
Sian's mum had to make the toughest call of her life that evening to tell us that we had lost Kian. The next few days were very traumatic, as we struggled to get flights home and to take in the heart-wrenching news.
Kian's funeral was held on the 30th May 2015 We were overwhelmed with the outpouring of grief from Kian's friends and our wonderful Lutterworth community. The reactions from everyone made us realise that Kian was not just ours; he touched the hearts of everyone who met him.
Kian was a popular boy. He was kind, caring and extremely loving. It is comforting to know that all of the attributes we knew and loved touched others too. His friends talk of his compassion, his happy outlook, and his zest for life. He loved to banter with them, and to play football, both in the park and on a Sunday with his mates at Kibworth and Smeeton FC. His first football club, Gilmorton FC, have reformed in his honour, and all players have his name on their shirts, which is a lovely gesture and tribute. Kian's network spread far and wide. He could talk to anyone, and he charmed many a friend’s parents with his impeccable manners and his outgoing personality.
Like any fifteen year old, he lived on social media, and spent many hours on his Xbox killing zombies. He also loved playing Fifa with Carter, and there was many a commotion when he beat him and got chased around the house - usually ending up with Carter locking him outside!
Kian was passionate about his music and he liked all genres, listening to anything from ELO to Kasabian, to his favourite new band Circa Waves. They recently dedicated their Birmingham gig to him, knowing how much he loved them!
Kian was tagged as Special K not long after he was born, and with this addition our family was complete. It was a joy to see two brothers growing up side by side, and we did everything together. We ate with each other every day. This time, where we would share our day’s stories and discuss what we were doing next, was so precious.
We have strong family values, and we taught our boys right from wrong whilst encouraging them to have minds of their own, our view being that as parents it was our responsibility to raise future fathers and husbands.
I recall Kian's sharp wit and sense of humour, or banter as he called it, and also how tactile he was; he was never too embarrassed to give his mum a cuddle or to get me in a headlock!
We have taken many holidays in Menorca over the years, and it was there where we watched Kian, Carter and their friends out there grow together. Menorca will always have a special place in our hearts, and our amazing memories of summer fun and laughter with friends and family will never fade. When we are ready, we will take Kian's ashes and scatter them in the sea from a place called La Gardenia overlooking Mahon Harbour.
Kian will never be forgotten.
The lane where Kian died has become a focal point for his friends, and they constantly visit to have a moment, leave a token of their love for him, or to light a candle. It gives them comfort.
The Lutterworth community constantly amazes us. The support and love they give us is very humbling, and it makes us so proud of Kian. We never knew that there would be this scale of love for him; in some way it gives us the strength to carry on and to ensure that Kian's legacy lives on.
I want to thank our friends and family near and far for just being there, and for carrying us and guiding us, for keeping us close and for making their own sacrifices to ensure that we get through each day. Without you I'm not sure that we would be here today.
Our inspiration and reason for living is our son Carter. Carter's last memories of Kian are playing FIFA with him the night before, and making plans to have friends round whilst mum and dad were away doing their charity work in South Africa. Not all brothers are close but they were; Kian looked up to Carter and he was proud to have a cool older brother.
Carter is 27 now but wise beyond his years. He had to answer the door when the police arrived, and his inspiring strength since this moment, and the love and support he has constantly given us, has ensured that we get up each and every day. We are looking forward to seeing him realising his ambitions and having a great life. He has gained his first class degree at University in Leeds and is now pursuing his dreams living in Hackney and taking every opportunity thrown at him. He’s a hard working entrepreneur and enjoying the London life. We are so proud of him. That’s boy!
We know we will never get over losing our Special K. We also know we have no regrets. We did everything as a family, and we know that we gave both of our boys a wonderful childhood, a childhood where they didn't want for anything. Our boys felt loved, secure and supported in everything they wanted to do.
Kian died doing something he loved: cycling to play football and have a laugh with his mates in Gilmorton. He was a wonderful lad, always happy, always the life and soul of any gathering. He loved life and he was so special. He was destined for a great future and we are devastated by our loss.
His memory will never fade; in our hearts he will always be Special K. We had 15 wonderful years together........
Kian will always be fifteen forever.....
Love Love Love 💙###x
