RICHARD BATSON Caring car mechanic Daniel Hyde loved children, but the 23-year-old's life was tragically cut short by a car crash.Now his family is raising charity cash for two good causes helping youngsters in Africa and his home town.

RICHARD BATSON

Caring car mechanic Daniel Hyde loved children, but the 23-year-old's life was tragically cut short by a car crash.

Now his family is raising charity cash for two good causes helping youngsters in Africa and his home town.

Tonight they will launch their latest fundraising venture - a recipe book in his memory.

His mother Jan said: “Losing Daniel was traumatic. But I wanted something good to come out of the tragedy. I needed to do this, to keep him alive - for him, and to help me too.

“I won't let him just die. I wanted to say 'you are still my son and I am doing something for you',” added the mother-of-seven.

The family aim to raise £3,500 for a home for orphans in Rwanda, then seek another £10,000 to improve youth facilities at Stalham.

Daniel died when the large family was driving home to Wayford Bridge near Stalham in a convoy of three cars after helping a friend in Ipswich clear out some stables.

His BMW swerved to avoid a car at Smallburgh, and rolled into a field. Daniel was flung out and died 20 minutes later. His 13-year-old brother Sam was left hanging upside down from his seat belt, but managed to escape through a 12inch gap in the wreckage.

Two other brothers, and his mother discovered the tragedy as they arrived at the scene on the evening of May 1, 2003.

Daniel, a mechanic at Busseys in Norwich and a part-time carer, loved children, said his mother.

“He was a people person. There were 500 people at his funeral. Everybody loved him. He would give you his last penny. He would get upset about poor children abroad and was interested in youth work - so anything we did for him had to have kids involved,” said Mrs Hyde.

After the African project, to provide a home for orphans, run by orphans, they wanted to boost the youth club, where they help, so it can run more than just one night a week.

The family has already raised £1,500 through musical events and coffee mornings. The recipe book idea came from Jane Skivington a family friend and wife of the minister at the Baptist church, where the Hydes worship.

Recipes For Success contains soups, main courses and desserts from local people, and will be launched at a local talent show at the Stables, part of the Baptist church in Stalham High Street, this evening at 7.30pm. Anyone wanting a copy or to support the appeal should contact Mrs Hyde on 01692 583220.