A COMMUNITY stood together yesterday to pay tribute to its “happy little man” with a stunning balloon release in memory of Lennox Railton-Craggs.
The four-year-old died after the off-road bike he was on crashed into a post near his home at Eldon Lane, Bishop Auckland, on Sunday, January 23.
He was treated at the scene by the Great North Air Ambulance and North East Ambulance Service before being airlifted to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, but could not be saved.
Parents Rachel Craggs and Michael Railton said Lennox “always had a smile on his face, he was our happy little man”.
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Exactly a week after the tragedy, at 1pm yesterday, his family and friends gathered at the scene to remember the youngster.
On a chilly day, they found warmth and comfort in the support given by loved ones from the tight-knit community who turned out en-masse to show their love for Lennox.
After an emotional countdown, hundreds of blue balloons along with tractors, hearts, dinosaurs and Paw Patrol characters drifted off into the sky.
A silence fell over the crowd before Lennox’s name was shouted and everyone burst into applause and the Tones and I song, Fly Away, was played.
Lennox, who had 11-year-old twin sisters and brothers, aged one and three, was a pupil at Prince Bishops Community Primary School in Coundon Grange.
In a statement on its website, the school said: "Lennox was a joy. He was such a happy boy who always had a smile for staff and other children.
"He loved playing with the dinosaurs and in the water, but his favourite thing to do was to play outside.
"He was an amazing friend and could be often seen holding another child's hand and he would go and get a tissue for anyone who was upset."
Fundraising campaigns have now been launched for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, which tried tirelessly to save his life, and the school, which his mother said has been incredibly supportive to his siblings and plans to create a memorial to Lennox.
The collection raised more than £1,000 in the first 24 hours after it went online.
Donations can be made online at GoFundMe- In memory of Lennox Joe Railton Craggs
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