Gig celebrates life of teenager (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Gig celebrates life of teenager

Neil Cole's sister Elly and father Allan with Tom Connolly and Keira Lips at the Victoria Pub yesterday Ref: 78005-3FRIENDS and family celebrated the life of a popular teenager with an all-day gig.

Neil Fest was held at the Victoria pub in Old Town yesterday in memory of 18-year-old Neil Cole, who died from head injuries sustained in a skateboard accident.

And the money raised will go towards encouraging other skaters to wear helmets and so prevent future tragedies.

Wristbands like the popular anti-bullying and racism bands are to be produced to try to spread the message as widely as possible.

"When the music started, the tears just came," said Neil's mum Jan at yesterday's gig. "This is just out of this world.

"But we actually like the music my foot keeps tapping. It just makes me want to burst into tears."

And Mrs Cole, who lives in Spain with Neil's dad Allan, is desperate for the safety message to get across to young people.

"I was sat here yesterday and we saw half a dozen lads go past without helmets on," she said.

"I wanted to leap out and say, 'Where is your helmet?'

"We didn't think Neil would become a statistic. But even if a dozen young people start to wear a helmet because of this, that is something."

The proceeds from yesterday's gig, which more than 100 people attended, will be used to produce wristbands saying 'Free spirit' and either 'Be safe' or 'Wear a helmet'.

Bands including Belarus, Broken Delight, Charlie Bath, David Marx, Hitchmo, The Last Calm, The Return, The Rentals, Teabo, Destination Anywhere and Charred Hearts played at the event and the music was all being recorded for a special CD to raise further funds for Neil's family's safety campaign.

Neil's sister Elly, 20, of Chippenham, was touched by the number of people there.

"It is just so overwhelming and amazing that so many people want to do stuff in memory of Neil," she said.

"It is a pretty happy day. It is a proper celebration listening to some good bands, all in his memory."

Neil, who worked at Just Add Water surf shop in the Brunel Centre, The Victoria pub and Nationwide, died on May 31 after the skateboarding accident in Cornwall.

He was cremated in Truo and a memorial service was later held in Immanuel Church, Upham Road, Swin-don, on the day he would have turned 19.