Friends of a “funny and intelligent” teenager who was knocked down and killed by a lorry in east London have raised thousands of pounds to cover his funeral costs.
Trainee accountant Arran Draper, 18, was returning home from work when he was struck in Leamouth Road, Poplar, on May 31. He was pronounced dead at the scene from head injuries.
The devout Catholic — whose family live in Plaistow — left St Bonaventure’s School in Forest Gate halfway through his A-levels last year to begin a career.
Schoolfriend Charlie Fink, 18, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out, I thought it was a sick joke. I went straight over to his family’s house and they told me it was true. We are all in pieces. We were very young when we first met and we stuck together like glue all the way through school. He was the funniest person you could meet. We weren’t the best students but we had loads of fun.
“He lived his life to the full and packed in a lot in that short time. He had just started a relationship and was dreaming of becoming a journalist, getting married and having kids. It’s just been cut short, it won’t ever sink in.”
He added: “Arran touched the lives of so many people, there’s always going to be something missing now.”
His friends are helping the family to pay for the funeral. A Just Giving page set up in the West Ham fan’s honour smashed its target of £2,000 in hours and extra donations will go to support his family.
Mr Fink said: “It’s unreal how people have come together to rally round. The school has chipped in, random West Ham fans have dipped into their pockets, the appeal has taken on a life of its own. It’s helping us get through this.”
A friend said: “Arran had a great passion for West Ham. He was a season ticket holder and had the pleasure of experiencing the last match of the season at Upton Park but that also comes with the heartbreak of knowing he will never be able to experience our new home at Stratford, which he had put a deposit down for.” A spokesman for St Bonaventure’s School said: “Arran’s sudden death has affected us all badly and his parents are obviously devastated. Many people remember him with fondness.”
The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and has not been arrested. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police by calling 101.
Donations can be made at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Arran-Draper
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