‘I just know he'll be looking down on them all smiling’ - Highland car groups answer Wick mum’s request for ‘One Last Run’ in memory of ‘car mad’ teenage son

Car enthusiasts in Wick are coming together this weekend to honour the memory of “car mad” teenager Kaden Askew, who tragically passed away earlier this month.

Highland Cars, along with Caithness Car Scene and Elev8 Aberdeenshire Car Scene, have arranged to host “One Last Run” in memory of the 15-year-old – an event which mum Gemma Tait says her son would have “absolutely loved”.

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The “send-off convoy” is planned to take place after a funeral service for Kaden on Saturday.

“He would have absolutely loved seeing the cars,” Gemma said. “I just know he'll be sat there looking down on them all smiling.

“Going to the car meets was like an escape for him. It was something he had extreme passion for. He enjoyed looking at every detail of every car with a smile on his face.”

Kaden’s love for cars was inspired by his car fanatic uncle Martin, who handed down his own collection toy cars to add to Kaden’s growing collection of ‘Hot Wheels’.

“This carried on into his teen years when he started to attend Highland Cars car meets on different weekends in Wick and Thurso.

“He would just look at the cars in awe.

“We took Kaden to the car show in Inverurie in April 2024 and he spent hours just looking at the cars and taking so many photos.”

Highland Cars organiser Andy Mac said: “Gemma is an old friend from years back and had attended some local car events with Young Kaden.

“She contacted me to ask if we could organise one last run in memory of Kaden as he had nothing but smiles when at events admiring all the different cars.

“I was honoured to help fulfil her request and hope to be able to provide the send-off Kaden deserves.

“We do ask people to remember it is being organised by a car club, however, it open to everyone to attend. So bring your bike, 4x4 or family car along and have the horns blast on his final journey.”

The run is scheduled to begin at 11am from the meeting point at Ashley Ann’s car park, before passing St Andrew’s Church on Argyle Street and proceeding to Northcote Street (Bignold Park) along the grass side.

Exact leaving times will be confirmed on the day.

Drivers interested in taking part are asked to register their interest at facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162660723976550 to allow the organisers to estimate rough numbers attending.

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