Lasting tribute to Bristol schoolboy Troy

The family of a Bristol teenager killed in a hit-and-run incident in Broadmead have put up a plaque in his memory.

Kim Atkinson unveiled the gold plaque as a lasting memorial to her son, Troy, who died at the age of 15 after the accident on April 28.

The youngster, from Hartcliffe, suffered severe head injuries and died in Frenchay Hospital.

The plaque is mounted on a wall near the Castlemead building on Lower Castle Street.

It reads simply: "T.W.A. Troy William Atkinson. 4th April 1994-28th April 2009. Good night, God bless, sleep peacefully angel x."

Karen Phillips, Ms Atkinson's sister, said the family wanted to put up the plaque as a lasting tribute to Troy.

Mrs Phillips said: "A lot of Troy's friends have asked for something like this for them to go to that they can remember him by.

"It was just after the accident happened, and a lot of people took flowers to the spot and wanted something permanent.

"We talked about it and thought a plaque would be nice, so used some of the money raised through the charity walk for it."

Mrs Phillips, of Marksbury Road, Bedminster, and her niece Gemma joined Ms Atkinson in a small ceremony to put up the plaque, kept quiet to allow them to reflect on a tragedy that is still very raw for the family.

She said: "We wanted it as a private event, as it was very emotional putting it up.

"For us as a family it means that he will never be forgotten. Even the couple of times I have been back there I have seen people stopping and reading it.

"It has given people what they wanted, and is just a little thing we can do in his honour."

Mrs Phillips said that Troy's family had been dealing with their grief over the past few months in different ways.

She said: "His brother Warren is taking a break in Malia to collect his thoughts, while Daniel has been at work.

"With Kim it is obviously early days, and she has been up and down, but they are all coping in their own way.

"The plaque doesn't bring closure, as Troy will always be with us in our hearts.

"It is very hard to go back to Cabot Circus now, but now there is an area where his friends can collect their thoughts and their memories of Troy and the things they did together.

"We would just like to thank Adrian, from Shoe Tappers in Bedminster, who made the plaque, and Neil Sheldrake, Castlemead's manager, who organised it with the owners."

Mr Sheldrake said the owners of the building, St Martin's Property Investment Ltd, fully understood the need for the plaque and gave it their blessing.

● Mohammed Ahmed, 18, of Eastville, has appeared at Bristol Crown Court charged with causing Troy's death by dangerous driving.

Ahmed also faces charges of taking a vehicle without consent, failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance.

He is in custody until the next court hearing in September.