A MEMORIAL garden in tribute to teenager Jade Clark was opened at a Hamsphire fire station today on what would have been the youngster's 17th birthday.

It was an emotional occasion for everyone assembled at Ringwood station, where Jade was a member of the Young Firefighters Association before she died in a fatal collision on the A31 in February.

Members of Jade's family, including mum Sharon Clark, stepfather Daniel Clark, grandmother Linda Pidgley, dad Billy Herald and Jade's siblings gathered for the ceremony, led by Ringwood's watch manager, Kevin Morrison.

Cadets from Ringwood Young Firefighters Association, who have worked to prepare the garden, were also present and took part in a drill beforehand.

The opening was conducted by Spencer McCarthy from Churchill Retirement Living, the firm that put up a reward for information during a police appeal following Jade's death.

 

The firm also contributed to the garden along with Stewarts Garden Lands in Christchurch, which helped supply the plants and a water feature.

After the garden was opened, Jade's family released 17 doves in memory of the youngster.

Mr Morrison, who is group leader for the Ringwood YFA said: “The garden was an idea of the cadets themselves following Jade's death.

“We have had help from Stewarts, who provided a designer who gave us some ideas as to what we could do with the space.

“It's for the cadets and for the family and is part of the grieving process for everyone here.

“It has been tough - she had been coming here for four years. The cadets are a big part of the station - part of the personnel.

“This is something we have never been through before and I hope never to have to go through again.

“Dealing with Jade's death both personally and as a station has been the hardest thing I have ever done in 34 years of being here.

“The community has been absolutely astounding to the family and to us and I thank them all for their support.”