Remembering our colleague Michael Ashton
A poignant and lasting tribute to council worker Michael Ashton has been unveiled by his family and colleagues during a special ceremony to remember his life.
Michael, 28, died in October last year after being run over by a taxi driver at his home in Langdon Hills, Essex. The driver had picked up Michael and his partner following a night out in Havering, east London, on 26 September last year.
Now a memorial bench has been placed at the LondonEastUK site in Dagenham where he was based, working for BD Group as a We Fix Gasfitter.
He started work at the site as an apprentice plumber at the age of 18 before becoming a gasfitter providing maintenance on council housing across Barking and Dagenham.
Michael’s mother Jayne Ashton and sister Natasha Ashton were at the event as were dozens of work colleagues and others from across the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the BD Group.
Michael’s mother Jayne said: “Michael started work with BD Group and We Fix as an apprentice straight out of college and enjoyed the ten years he worked here and made many friends.
“A memorial bench is a fitting way of helping Michael’s colleagues remember him and it means a lot to us, his family.”
The memorial bench was arranged jointly by BD Group - a Barking and Dagenham council-owned company - and the GMB union as a mark of respect for Michael - a much-liked and well thought of gasfitter.
It will now act as a permanent memorial for Michael where colleagues, friends and family can sit and reflect on their memories of him
Memorial plaques with messages from Michael’s parents, work friends and BD Group are attached to the bench.
The family plaque states ‘In Loving Memory of Michael Ashton, beloved son and LBBD gasfitter, always helping others and always loved. Forever in Our Hearts. Mum and Dad.’
His close work friends stated how ‘his smile and kindness will never be forgotten’ while the BD Group plaque added that he was ‘a valued, much-liked and well-respected colleague’.
Following the ceremony, BD Group interim Chief Executive Sarah Ryan said: “Michael was well known across our organisation and his untimely death understandably affected a lot of people, this memorial bench will allow his colleagues and friends to sit and reflect on Michael’s life for years to come.”
BD Group Operations Executive Director Louise Lineker, who oversaw the work area Michael was part of, added: “I knew Michael for a number of years and he was a popular, friendly and respected member of our team.
“I know that many people across the organisation who knew Michael will take this time to remember him, as will I. My thoughts go out to Michael’s family as well as his friends and colleagues at LBBD and BD Group at this difficult time.”
Taxi driver Hayadulla Turkmani, 53, of Langdale Gardens, Hornchurch, was jailed for five years at Basildon Crown Court last month for causing Michael’s death by dangerous driving.