Family of Hornchurch boy, 11 who died in two car crash speak out about their loss

Tommy Bailey, from South End Road, Hornchurch, died on Sunday, January 23 after the incident near his home, as reported in last week’s Romford Recorder.

Police and ambulance services attended but Tommy was in cardiac arrest when they arrived and he was taken to Queen’s Hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford, where he was confirmed dead.

On Wednesday, his parents Shaun, 43, and Tracie, 42, and nine-year-old sister Molly spoke about their grief.

Shaun said: “Tommy was full of character and kept us on our toes. He was ambitious and his dream was to be the ultimate boxing champion.

“Tommy trained three times a week at West Ham Boxing Club and was awarded a belt for winning his fight that took place in Glasgow (Scotland v England). The belt took pride of place along with his many other trophies.”

Tommy also loved football and joined Tigers Junior Football Club in 2004/2005 and ended up captaining the under-12s B team.

Shaun added: “Tommy made many close friends from the team and we would often have sleepovers on Saturday evenings following the football training where the boys would play the Xbox.”

Tommy was a pupil at Abbs Cross School and used to go to Towers Junior School.

Shaun said Tommy made many new friends at Abbs Cross.

“Tommy has always made us feel proud and we are privileged to have had him as our son for the short period of time he was with us – he will remain in our hearts forever.”

Last week the site of the incident was turned into a makeshift memorial to Tommy with flowers placed at the scene.

A tribute page was set up on Facebook which has thousands of tributes.

There are also tributes on the website for Tigers JFC.

West Ham Boxing Club held a minute’s silence over the weekend.

Shaun described the tributes as “touching and a great support to his family during this difficult time”.

Tommy’s funeral is due to take place on Monday at Corbets Tey South Chapel in Ockendon Road, Upminster.