MP apologises for letter to dead teenager (From Swindon Advertiser)

MP apologises for letter to dead teenager

8:24am Thursday 8th May 2008 in

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AN MP has apologised after sending a congratulatory letter to a dead boy on what would have been his 18th birthday.

Michael Wills, the Labour MP for North Swindon, said sorry to the mother of 17-year-old Chris Garrod, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Christmas Day.

The letter from Mr Wills was posted to Chris's address five days before what should have been his big day.

Mr Wills said that he was shocked by the administrative error and could not explain why the letter was sent out.

“This is an appalling situation. I am really sorry and don’t know how it happened."

Michael Wills

Mr Wills said: "This is an appalling situation. I am really sorry and don't know how it happened."

Rebecca Garrod, Chris' heart-broken mother, who lives in Pinehurst, said that the letter all but shattered her hopes that her son's birthday would be a celebration rather than an anniversary full of mourning.

Mrs Garrod, who was inconsolable until yesterday, said that she expected Mr Wills to ensure checks were made before letters were sent out to constituents.

She said: "I just started to cry when I received it and I have been crying over the past few days.

"Chris isn't here and he isn't coming back and it is hard enough to deal with as it is.

"Every day is a struggle and to have a letter like this to highlight that he is no longer around just breaks my heart more."

Mrs Garrod said that before receiving the letter she had decided to throw a party for her four-year-old son Ellis who shares the same birthday as Chris. Fighting back the tears she added: "I decided to throw Chris' birthday party on Sunday for his friends to make it more of a celebration, so I am trying to stay positive and make it a celebration but then this it makes everything harder.

"I visit his grave every day and almost anything sets me off, but I would have expected Mr Wills to check. After all, the accident was all over the papers.

"All he spoke about before his death was his 18th birthday. He wanted to celebrate it so badly."

Cathy Blake, Mrs Garrods' mother, said: "Michael Wills is right when he says this is an appalling situation. It never should have happened and if this can save another mother from going through the sort of pain my daughter is going through because of it then it has all been worth it."

Chris died after being hit by a car on Christmas morning close to the pedestrian crossing on Great Western Way at Transfer Bridges.

He had been celebrating the festive season with friends and was walking home at the time of his death.