Brilliant Tribute: GUYFEST: 600 attend concert in memory of crash victim

The mother of a 17-year-old boy who died in a motorcycle accident described a concert in his memory as a “wonderful tribute.”

Guy Evans, from Long Wittenham, crashed in August last year. The teenager, who had passed his motorbike test two days earlier, was the victim of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which stopped his heart and caused him to fall unconscious.

Friend Henry Cook, 18, organised GuyFest at Didcot’s Cornerstone Arts Centre on Saturday with the help of friends on the Spark in the Dark committee at the town’s Vibe Youth and Community Centre, where Guy helped to organise monthly rock gigs.

More than 600 people attended the festival, which featured bands, raffles and auctions for motorcycling kit. They helped raise more than £2,000 for two charities, Cardiac Risk in the Young and the Child Bereavement Charity.

Guy’s mother Beth Chesney-Evans said: “It was a brilliant day, a wonderful tribute to Guy.

“There were some tears because it was very emotional, but there was also lots of laughter. Guy’s friends have all been fantastic. I know it has been such a tough year for them. Guy was a very popular lad.

“But they made sure this was an event to remember.”

She said they were now planning to make it an annual event.

This month, Mrs Cheney-Evans won her crusade to change the way 999 calls to motorbike accidents are handled. All operators will now be trained to help prevent motorcyclists suffocating in the crucial minutes after a crash.

She said: “:Our MP Ed Vaizey opened the event, which was important because he has been instrumental in my campaign.

“As well as lots of fun, there was a serious side to the day. We showed road safety videos and gave the chance to learn first-aid techniques.

“There would have only been a slim chance of resuscitating Guy, but there was a window of opportunity of three to four minutes.

“If people can learn the basics of first aid, lives will be saved. Treatment people receive at the scene is vital. I can’t think of a better legacy for Guy to leave to everyone.”