Hundreds of people have taken part in a car and motorbike rally held in memory of a popular former Bungay High School pupil who died after a collision near Blythburgh.

Eastern Daily Press: Samuel QueenSamuel Queen (Image: Archant)

Up to 300 people travelled from Halesworth to Southwold and on to Great Yarmouth to pay tribute to 21-year-old Sam Queen.

Mr Queen, of Lowestoft Road, Reydon, died after suffering serious injuries when his car left the A1095 and hit a tree on June 10.

He had been a keen motorcyclist and his friends carried his helmet on the rally at the request of his mother Connie Cole, who wanted her son to have one last ride.

Mrs Cole, who pushed her son's motorbike to the end of the driveway to watch the rally go past, said: 'It made me very proud of my son and also of his friends. Just all of them, they are lovely and we can not fault them.

'It does help the pain.

'It is never going to bring Sam back but the turnout was amazing.

'Credit should go everyone that organised it and I am just proud of everyone that took part in it. They have all got a special place in our hearts.'

Mr Queen was well-known as a volunteer at Wrentham Youth Club and Apollo Youth Club in Halesworth, where he was a member when he was younger.

He had recently secured his dream job as an apprentice chef at The Crown in Southwold, having completed a catering course at Lowestoft College.

He was also a member of the East Coast Bikers motorcycle group, which took part in the memorial rally.

The rally began at the car park of The Angel in Halesworth and went past the crash site to Southwold Pier, where people threw white flowers over the side of the pier in to the water. From there, the cars and motorbikes went via Wrentham and on to Great Yarmouth seafront, where everyone gathered to share memories of Mr Queen.

The event was organised by Mr Queen's friends Emily-Jordan Tanner, Will Taylor and Lindsay Tipple.

Miss Tanner, 19, said: 'We had a good turnout. We had 34 bikes and 77 cars. With all the people in the different vehicles there must have been 200 to 300 people.

'I think he would have been pleased with it. I think we did him proud.'

Miss Tanner said throwing the flowers off the pier had been an emotional experience but she added that she hoped the event had helped people to grieve.

'I think it definitely helped because a lot of people are still sitting by their phones expecting Sam to call or text,' she said. 'It helps it to sink in a bit and helps to know we have all got the support of one another.'

A bucket collection on the night raised £102.16 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, which airlifted Mr Queen to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where he later died.

Mr Queen lived with his mum and his stepfather Paddy Cole at their home in Reydon, having moved to the area from Goole, East Yorkshire, with his mum ten years ago.

The Apollo Youth Club opened specially in the week following Mr Queen's death to offer support to grieving members and release sky lanterns in Mr Queen's memory. Floral and personal tributes have been left at the scene of the collision and a Facebook site dedicated to Mr Queen has more than 1,000 members.

? Mr Queen's funeral will be held at Seven Hill Crematorium in Nacton on Tuesday, July 2, at 10.30am followed by a get together at The Angel in Halesworth. Mrs Cole said anyone who knew her son was welcome to attend.

The family have asked for donations to East Anglian Air Ambulance in lieu of flowers to be sent care of Fishers, Field Stile Road, Southwold.