Ben Maitland, 19, who died earlier this year in a car accident in Broadstairs

Evening to raise money for sea scout boat in teenager Ben Maitland’s memory

A concert to celebrate the life of a teenage boy who died in a car crash earlier this year is set to raise money to buy a boat in his memory.

Ben Maitland, who was 19, was killed when a car he was a passenger in crashed into a wall on Stone Road, Broadstairs in February.

He was a leader at the Holy Trinity Sea Scouts in Margate during his childhood and teenage years, and the group are hoping to buy a boat in his name to serve as a permanent tribute to him.

His dad Andy Maitland said: “The group have a good important message and the money raised from this concert means children will have benefited from Ben’s memory and the boat will be a permanent tribute to him.

“He always had time for people - young, old, male, female - they all loved him. We didn’t realise how important he was to so many people until the funeral when about 450 people turned up. The support has been amazing.”

Sophie Jackson, who is organising the concert, said she decided to arrange the event after the accident had a serious impact on her family.

She said: “The accident happened outside my dad’s home and him and my step-mum heard the bang and it was them who were first on the scene and saw those truly horrific things.”

“I am hoping that the night will be a collection of Ben’s memory, raising awareness and some great music.”

The concert will take place at The Pavilion in Broadstairs on Friday, June 8 and tickets are £10.