'I want to prevent another tragedy' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'I want to prevent another tragedy'

Clive LovedayBEREAVED dad Clive Loveday has urged teenagers to go easy on the booze this Christmas.

The 49-year-old delivered a moving talk to students at New College yesterday, warning them about the dangers of binge drinking.

Mr Loveday, of Old Town, told students to learn from his family's tragedy.

Son Matthew, 19, died last New Year's Eve, after downing shots at a party in Buckinghamshire.

Since then, Mr Loveday has been a staunch campaigner against binge drinking.

"I am not saying don't go out and have a drink this Christmas just go easy," said the postman.

"College students are at the age when they will start going to pubs."

Mr Loveday hit out at a 'big man' culture among lads.

"Matthew played rugby just because you're physically strong it does not automatically mean you can get away with going out and having a skin-ful.

"Binge drinking is today's buzz word and it's not helped by the recent extensions to pub licensing hours."

Mr Loveday thinks the combination of peer pressure and demand to pass exams presents a potentially lethal cocktail.

"Today's kids are under a lot of pressure and there is perhaps a lot of emphasis these days on getting 'bladdered' or rude equivalents.

"But I want young people to learn from what happened to Matthew."

Mr Loveday said his one-man campaign has helped him come to terms with his grief.

"I've done interviews with the Adver as well as Sky News and other media and it has really helped me come to terms with what happened," he said.

"It helps to know that I'm doing something positive to prevent another tragedy."

Mr Loveday said he and wife Jenny, 45, plan to celebrate Christmas and New Year for the sake of their two daughters, Katie, 22, and Lucy 17.

"We have two daughters to think of this Christmas," he said. "But Matthew will be very much in our thoughts.

"We shall go to church on Christmas Day and visit his grave but we're still deciding how we're going to mark New Year."

Kate Ings, 17, of Highworth, is a student at New College.

She said: "It's really good to have someone talking to students about the dangers of binge drinking and being aware when you're out. Everyone has heard about it but not everyone knows all the facts."

Another student Sadie Church, 18, of Swindon, agreed.

"What Clive had to say was really interesting. It definitely makes you more aware of things and how to recognise the danger signs.

"You have to rely on your friends and it is really important to stay with people you know and trust."

New College spokesman Leigh Debbage said: "It was really great that Mr Loveday came in to talk to our students it can't have been easy for him.

"It was perfect timing to deliver the talk just after George Best's tragic death and before Christmas when many people will drink more."

Kevin Shoesmith