A FAMILY is organising a huge fundraiser to mark the 30th birthday of a schoolboy who was killed after being hit by a car.

Ben Dines was just six weeks into his first term at the old Chalvedon School, in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, in 1996 when he was hit as he crossed the road on his way home.

His big brother Tim Dines, now 35, witnessed the tragic crash and looked after 11-year-old Ben until paramedics arrived on the scene.

He is putting on a charity football tournament and throwing a party to mark what would have been Ben’s 30th birthday, and raise money for brain injury charity Headway.

Tim, of Plumleys, Pitsea, said: “It will help my mum, it’s a good way to honour Ben and mark the occasion.

“I still remember the day it all happened. He was messing around with a load of other children and suddenly a car clipped him. I was being a good big brother and looking after him, but he couldn’t be saved.

“I’ve got my own children nowand I always try and talk about Ben to keep his memory alive and make sure they know about their uncle.”

The fundraiser at Selex Sports and Leisure Club, in Gardiners Way, Basildon, will begin with a football tournament at 12.30pm, before the party kicks off at 7pm.

Ben was a big Arsenal fan, and even has the club badge engraved on his headstone.

Tim added: “A lot of his old school friends have really pushed for us to do something. Ben loved football, so we’re doing something he would have loved to do on this 30th.”

Mum Sue Dines, “It’s very sad for me and Tim gets upset about it, as he was there when it happened.

“I’ve kept in touch with Ben’s friends and they really have been fantastic. This is a great way to celebrate his life.”