Shropshire Star

Shropshire wife's charity event in memory of tragic husband and son

When Debbie Howlett's husband and youngest son died in a tragic accident on a family holiday in Spain, she vowed to do something positive to ensure they would never be forgotten.

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Her husband Symon died trying to rescue their two sons after a freak wave knocked them off their feet and into the sea on the Costa Brava.

Symon leapt in to try and save them and managed to pull Thomas, nine, back to shore before carrying Jay, five on his back.

But the pair were overcome by the current and died before rescue teams were able to pull them from the water.

Every year since the tragic events of November 2007, Debbie has held a fundraiser in memory of Symon and Jay.

This year's event, which will be held in the next few weeks, will raise cash for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Symon and Jay

Mrs Howlett said: "We have raised money for different charities each year but this year we are raising money for the RNLI.

"I wasn't sure which charity to pick this year and suddenly thought why had I never thought of the RNLI.

"If it wasn't for the rescuers in Spain I might have never found Symon and Jay and I could never have lived with not knowing where they were.

"From all that happened I wanted to bring something good out of it. I didn't want them to be forgotten.

"I always hold the charity events on the Friday closest to Symon's birthday and this year he would have been 40 and Jay would have been 13."

Mrs Howlett said it all started when she decided to hold an event to bring all the family together while holding a small raffle.

But when the event raised £480, she decided to launch an annual event in their memory with £200 always donated to the Market Drayton Tiny Tigers in memory of football-mad Jay.

Symon and Jay

Mrs Howlett said: "Each year seems to get bigger and with the important birthdays I just wanted to make sure it was the biggest and best one yet.

"Jay was really into football and he was such a character. He always had everybody laughing. And Symon was just the same, he was like a big friendly giant.

"But he always did fundraising as well which is one of the reasons I wanted to keep it going.

"He would do anything for anybody. If it had been someone else who was in the water he would have done the same thing.

"Even seven years later it still doesn't seem very real to me. It's as if it is something I've watched or someone has told me about."

But Mrs Howlett is determined to bring some good out of the tragic events and along with son Tom, now 16, will be holding the fundraising event on March 27 at 7pm.

The evening will feature a band, a disco, hog roast, raffle and auction at the Royal British Legion Club.

Mrs Howlett said: "We would be so grateful for any donations for the raffle and auction.

"We really are grateful for all the support that has been given, the town have been fantastic.

"And Tom is just brilliant. If it wasn't for Tom I wouldn't be here today.

"It should be a really fun event. It is very rewarding and we always enjoy the fundraisers."

Tickets for the fundraiser will cost £10 and are available from Mrs Howlett on 07917 194122 or from Cooke and Thomas in High Street, Market Drayton, Chris Fennell Appliances in Cheshire Street and Kings Arms in Shropshire Street.

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