Fund for son of fireworks blaze victim
A fund has been set up to support the five-year-old son of a man who died in a fireworks warehouse blaze – with a kickboxing tournament the first event being staged to raise cash.
Simon Hillier was working at SP Plastics when the huge fire broke out in October last year. It also claimed the life of Stewart Staples, who was a customer in the shop at the time.
Mr Hillier, aged 41, of Hednesford, was a retired kickboxer but continued to go to Featherstone Kickboxing Club to help train the youngsters.
The club is now holding an event on July 18 in his memory and to support the Thomas Hillier Trust Fund.
Thomas was Simon's only child, and friends and family want to ensure there is enough money to support him in the coming years.
Chief instructor Paul Whitehouse said: "Everyone knew Simon and we all want to do whatever we can to help.
"He was like one of the family and we had become really close friends.
"The lads haven't really fought since he died, as he did most of the training, and no-one has felt they could give 100 per cent.
"But now this has given them some motivation and something to focus on.
"His family wanted to set up the fund and this is the first proper event we've done for it, but I'm sure that there will be plenty more."
Mr Hillier was a talented kickboxer who was respected by the younger members of the club.
The fire sent shockwaves through the community and Mr Whitehouse said it was 'still difficult' to come to terms with Mr Hillier's death.
Mr Whitehouse added: "He was a good friend for the last 10-15 years and would do anything for anybody.
"He was an asset to the club and a well respected and well liked member of the kickboxing community.
"He really was a cracking lad who would help out wherever he could with training the youngsters. He will be sorely missed."
Mr Hillier, of Mountside Street, was described as a 'fantastic son and brother and a terrific dad' by his close relatives.
Their statement in the aftermath of his death that said: "We are all very proud of his sporting achievements and in everything else he did in life.
"We all miss him dearly.
Around 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at SP Plastics.
Hundreds of rockets were sent exploding into the sky above the industrial unit near Stafford town centre and thick black smoke could be seen for miles.
The inquest into the two men's deaths will resume on July 20.
Police are yet to determine the cause of the blaze and SP Plastics has since gone out of business.
Most of the warehouse was completely destroyed in the fire and since then has been fully demolished.
Metal fencing now surrounds the empty site.
After the fire, the police asked people not to use any fireworks they bought from the factory and tests were carried out.
After the tragedy, the family of Mr Staples, a worker at Staffordshire County Council, said he was a devoted family man with a wife, three children and a young grandson.
He lived in Bond Way, Hednesford.
He worked for Staffordshire County Council Highways Department for 26 years.
He was also a keen golfer and Walsall FC supporter.
The kickboxing event takes place at 7pm at the club and tickets are £25.
