Mother’s tribute to tragic teen
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A MOTHER whose daughter was tragically killed in a car accident more than five years ago is marking an emotional anniversary today.
Caithness-based funeral and wedding celebrant Penelope Hamilton (60) lost her daughter, Thea Sharp, who was just 19 when the accident happened in Moray in June 2006.
Today – November 11, 2011 – would have been the former North Highland College student’s 25th birthday and her mother recently handed over a cheque marking the date in money – £1111 – to a cause close to Thea’s heart.
Penelope said she had, in fact, raised a lot more for the Caithness branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association.
"People have been very generous, and the current total raised for RDA Caithness is £1392.50 – plus gift aid of £288.37, which goes to the central RDA," she said.
"More donations are promised and the final amount, when I close the JustGiving account at the end of November, hopefully will exceed £1600."
At the time of the accident, Thea was studying Horse Management and living in Ormlie Lodge in Thurso – although she had grown up in Yorkshire.
Penelope explained her daughter adored horses, and her ambition was to have a riding centre specialising in holidays for people with disabilities and their families.
In June Penelope appealed to friends and people who knew her daughter to come forward and help put together a book of memories, photos and anecdotes about the teenager, with any funds raised going to the charity.
"In 2010, I’d made a handwritten book for my eldest daughter, Katharine. It was about her relationship with her sister – through life and death," said Penelope.
"I wanted to make a similar book, focused solely on Thea, and it suddenly struck me I could invite everyone who’d known her to both contribute a memory and a make donation to RDA Caithness."
Although Penelope intended to have the book ready for today it soon dawned on her that if she wanted something of good quality, it would require time and attention, and it would be better to work on it over the winter.
Responses have also been slow in coming in, which Penelope believed could be down to people experiencing a lack of confidence in expressing themselves and knowing what to say following the tragedy.
"One of Thea’s school friends wrote that it made her sad to realise that her memories of Thea are getting hazy, which gave me a horrible shock," she said.
"But then I thought how natural this is – she’s a young woman of 25, not the girl of 19 that she was when Thea died, and it’s right that she and the others should move on, and enjoy and fulfil their lives, however painful it is for me to think that they’ve left Thea behind."
The same friend also wrote she still likes to think of what Thea would have said in situations and what she would think of people around her.
The friend added in the message to Penelope: "I can’t even imagine how hard this time of year is for you, but I hope it does help a little bit to know how loved Thea was and how unforgettable she is."
Penelope said that was not the only heart-warming and touching message she’d received and she plans to use them all in the finished book. Contributors can still send donations with their written or photographic memories. Publication costs will be covered separately, so every penny of every pound that is donated will support RDA Caithness.
Last year Penelope completed a mile-long swim in a dock in the Thames which kicked off her fundraising for the RDA.
Contributions can be posted to 4 Campbell Street, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7HD accompanied by a cheque to RDA Caithness, or e-mailed to pelempy@btinternet.com with payment via www.just
giving.com/TheaSharp2
Contributors should make clear how and when they knew Thea.
