Father pays emotional tribute to 'wonderful' son who died in Oldbury road tragedy
The father of a Black Country man who died in a road tragedy has paid tribute to his 'wonderful' son who 'touched so many lives'.
Damian Corfield said he and the whole family had been overwhelmed by the support received by card, phone calls and messages since 19-year-old Ben's death.
Ben died alongside his friend,16-year-old Liberty Charris, after they were struck by a car on the A457 in Oldbury on November 20.
Mr Corfield said: "As a family, we’re totally heartbroken to have lost our wonderful son Ben at such a young age.
"We want to thank everyone who has sent us their support by card, phone calls and messages as it’s been totally overwhelming and helped us greatly at this very upsetting time."
Mr Corfield also spoke about what Ben had achieved in his short life and said he had touched the lives of so many people as a community leader and charity climber.
He said: "Ben was only 19, but what he achieved in his short life and the amount of people helped and touched in a positive way is incredible.
"Ben spent most of his teenage years working in the community and Dudley as a whole making a difference and helping as many people as he could.
"At only 14, he climbed Ben Nevis and helped raise £8000 for the Mayor’s charities.
"After leaving school, he looked forward to being the 4th generation in our family to join the transport Industry and vehicle repair sector and driving Class 1 HGVS like his dad."
Mr Corfield said he wanted Ben's funeral, which will take place on Wednesday, January 4 at Wordsley Holy Trinity Church at 12pm, to be a celebration of his life.
He said: "We want Ben's funeral to be a celebration of his life, we want everyone to wear bright colours.
"Ben's funeral details are Wednesday, January 4 at 12pm at Wordsley Holy Trinity Church, then 1.30pm at Gornal Crematorium and, afterwards, at The Dudley Arms in Himley.
"Everyone is welcome and family flowers only, with any donations to The What Centre."
Ben was also a volunteer for The Black Country Wellbeing Centre in Upper Gornal. He was a volunteer counsellor at the centre in Vale Street and helped build the centre’s sleigh even dressing up as the Grinch for its tour of local estates.
Centre director Wade Cooper said previously: “Ben was always a massive part of our Christmas and when we were in lockdown, we took him out on the sleigh around all the estates dressed as the Grinch in his green car.
“He was fantastic, a big lad and very lovable, smiling all the time and not a bad bone in his body and would be part of the Christmas festival every year, dressed as the Grinch."
The tragedy happened as people gathered to watch high performance cars drive through the Black Country in what was believed to be an event organised online.
