Memorial garden planned as tribute to Havant teenager Louise Smith
A MEMORIAL garden is going to be built as a tribute to a teenager found dead in a woodland.
The body of 16-year-old Louise Smith, from Havant, was found at Havant Thicket on May 21.
Her funeral, held on July 10, saw hundreds of mourners turn out to say their goodbyes to the popular teenager, alongside more than 500 bikers who answered a call to arms.
Now, Gosport biker Ricky Coleman – who was known to Louise as Uncle Donk – is arranging for a memorial garden to be built for the family.
He said: ‘I used to live in Leigh Park and knew Louise’s family very well.
‘She would call me her godfather so we were quite close – she always had a smile on her face and was always wanting to help other people.
‘I wanted to do something for her family, give them somewhere to sit and reflect, with a bit of peace and quiet.’
Starting up a fundraiser on GoFundMe, Ricky plans to build a summer house, with a fish pond and pictures of Louise, in the family’s back garden.
He says the far end of the garden needs clearing – and hopes the local community will step in to help him out.
Ricky said: ‘The support the family has received since Louise went missing has been phenomenal.
‘Seeing everyone lined in the streets for her funeral was such an emotional sight.
‘The family is coping as best they can, but there’s still a long way to go, so any support we can give them is so important.’
It is hoped that £2,500 can be raised through the fundraiser.
Any leftover money from the project will be donated to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service, which Ricky says took part in the search for Louise.
Ricky said: ‘It has been a really upsetting time for everyone who knew Louise, but we just have to stay strong and stick together.
‘Once this has been done it will be a beautiful tribute to a lovely girl.’
To donate to the memory garden, people can go to gofundme.com/f/memorial-garden-and-air-ambulance.