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I’m not bitter, says Leeds crash teenager’s mum
CELEBRATING CIARAN: Margaret Bingham outside The Hunslet Club where the life of her son Ciaran, pictured below, will be remembered.
The mother of a teenage motorcyclist who died days before his 20th birthday, says she has “no bitterness” towards the man who caused his death.
Marking what would have been her son Ciaran’s 21st birthday on Tuesday, Margaret Bingham, from Belle Isle, has arranged a celebration of his life at the Hunslet Club, in Hillidge Road, Hunslet.
Ciaran Patrick Bingham suffered fatal head injuries when his motorbike was involved in a collision with a car in Ledger Lane, Outwood, last January.
Margaret, 52, said: “I don’t hold any bitterness or anything towards him as he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity but I feel I was begrudged at having both a daughter-in-law and any grandchildren that he could have had.
“I don’t feel a bit bitter towards him as I’m a better person for learning to accept what happened. He keeps me going.”
Ciaran rode into a BMW, after the driver pulled out to do a turn-in-the-road without indicating.
The driver was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a 12-month driving ban after he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.
Margaret said: “It’s every mother’s worst nightmare losing a child at 19. He was a kind, caring and compassionate person.”
She said she spoke to the driver, a father himself, outside court and forgave him for the incident.
After her son’s death, Margaret, a mother of five and health care assistant at Leeds St James’s Hospital, felt compelled to raise money for the Hunslet Club after seeing it help Ciaran after he left school.
To date she has raised nearly £21,000, arranging events ranging from a sponsored walk and fundraising night to pampering sessions and a skydive in aid of the club, which helps more than 500 children keep active and gain qualifications per week.
Ciaran, who went to St Thomas a Becket Catholic College, in Wakefield, was learning forklift truck driving at Hargreaves Training, in Beeston, before he died.
A 70s night, with tribute acts and an auction to commemorate his birthday, has been organised at the club for Saturday from 7pm.
Margaret added: “I want it to be a celebration of Ciaran’s life, there’s a lot to be thankful for.”
Visit: www.hunsletclub.org.uk for further information.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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