About ELY
The Charity was set up in memory of Emma Louise Young. Emma tragically lost her life in a road traffic collision. She was just 23 and our only daughter.
We set up the fund in March 2011 with the objective to relieve financial hardship for families within the County if their son or daughter, between the age of 17 to 25, is tragically killed in a road traffic collision.
We provide a condolence gift to contribute towards the funeral costs so a family can mourn and arrange their child’s funeral without the added stress and financial burden. We also provide help and support through other groups, such as looking into life insurance, will writing and emotional support for victims of road traffic collisions.
Our other objective is to support young people across the county to become safer drivers, educating them in road safety to help reduce road collisions involving young drivers.
Our shining light was tragically taken far too soon on Thursday 30th September 2010 at 10.06p.m. Em was on her way home from her boyfriends place in Ledbury that night. I knew something was wrong, but I never knew the magnitude of devastation that faced us. Being told that Emma had been killed in a car collision will haunt us for the rest of our days. Being unable to see Em for 16 hours was sheer agony, it tore us apart because all I wanted to do was hold my baby.
We were traumatically distraught at losing Em so cruelly and we were in no mental state to comprehend the consequences of turning our back on everyday life when our society keeps functioning. We found ourselves facing funeral costs, household bills, an Inquest into her accident and Probate – all which needed to be paid. The biggest worry was paying for Em's funeral, it cost nearly £5,000. Without the support of my Mum we would not have afforded this without taking out a loan. Em died Intestate and did not have a Life Insurance. The majority of young adults don't think about such things, neither do Mum's & Dad's, you are too busy looking after the family and insuring your own life for them. When we turned to find some help, we were totally distraught to think that there was no financial help for us because we did not qualify for help from the Department of Social Security. Emotionally, we were in turmoil and shut down to the outside world for many months.
We set up the fund in March 2011 by way of a donation of £100.00 from a dear friend, Annie. Due to the overwhelming response and support we received over the year to May 2012, we decided to apply to the Charities Commission of England and Wales to become a registered charity to help families in Herefordshire. As of the 13th August, 2012, The ELY Memorial Fund received Charity status under the registered number 1148535.
The ELY Memorial Fund objectives are to relieve financial hardship for families within the County Boundary of Herefordshire as defined by Herefordshire Council. By giving a condolence gift as a one-off payment, if their son or daughter are tragically killed in a road traffic collision between the ages 17 to 25 years of age. Whether the collision is in Herefordshire or another part of the world, irrespective of race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability, sexuality, political or religious beliefs, in the interests of public benefit and the object of relieving financial hardship for the families whose main domicile is in Herefordshire.
The fund will provide a condolence gift known as "Hugs from ELY" (funeral plan) to contribute towards the funeral costs. We want families to feel assured that there is some help with the funeral costs – my heart wants to help all ages if they are tragically killed, but our funds could not sustain such costs. We are therefore liaising with funeral undertakers to agree an amount to pay for a basic funeral, so a family can mourn and arrange their child’s funeral without the added stress and financial burden.
Our other objectives are to provide help and support through other groups, such as looking into life insurance, will-writing and emotional support for victims of road traffic collisions.
The grief is too unbearable without the added pressure of money worries. We don't want other families to suffer as we have, so through our tragic loss we hope to help others through such distressing circumstances. We can't explain our pain and sorrow of losing our daughter so tragically, we truly miss Em every day.
We hope that you will support the fund in memory of our beautiful daughter Emma Louise Young "ELY".
With our best wishes, thank you for visiting our website.
Angela & Steven Tyler
Our Emma
Our Emma will always be remembered for her loving smile, her caring ways and her love for her family and friends. She grew up in the Tupsley area, attending Aylestone High School and furthering her education at the Herefordshire College of Technology where she studied her BTec in Teaching Assistant & Social Care.
Em voluntarily worked at Barrs Court School and Widemarsh Workshop, during her studies at College. She was given the opportunity to work there for a short time until she moved to Orchard House, Withington to look after elderly residents with dementia. Em finally found her true vocation and worked with Dean Health Care working with adults with learning disabilities at St Owens Centre. She loved it there and tragically was only there 12 weeks prior to her passing. She was highly regarded and missed by friends she made during her short working years.
We have wonderful memories of Em growing up, too many to share with you, but her 23 years were full of life, determination and enduring love for myself, Steve, Ben and all her family. She made us feel so proud of her achievements through her lows and highs, we couldn’t of asked for anything more. One of our fondest memories was her 21st birthday party will always have a special place in our hearts. Em set her heart on wearing a long dress and her cousin Keira had made a dress for her GSCE Textiles. Em tried the cerise two piece and it fitted like a glove! Em felt really special that night, drank and danced the night away with family and friends. A night we will never forget as she said "I love you Mum, thank you for such a wonderful party".
We dearly love and miss Em so much since that tragic day, when our shining light fell to sleep. There are too many dreams of Em's left undone, but we hope that caring for families through the ELY Memorial Fund, we can continue to do what Em loved and that was to care for people.
She was our beautiful precious Angel and will always remain close to all our hearts forever.
“Miss you precious niece, you’re in my thoughts every day, love & miss you dearly! We will meet again angel! Xxxxxxxxxxx”
“A beautiful angel xx 💙”
“Some of my earliest memories are of playing with Em in our playroom, colouring in and drawing on the blackboards. I remember how she loved picking me up and spinning me round, was such good fun. I will always remember her amazing smile and positive nature, she was such a good role model to both me and my sister. Missing you loads Em xxxxxxxxxxxx”
“Always in our hearts Em xxx”
“Em was such a loving and caring person, and always one to have lots of fun! I remember when I was younger, me and and my sister playing tickle wars, and inventing new games and things to do-whenever em was around, we were never bored! She truly loved life, and she will be remembered in everyone’s hearts forever, never forgotten. love you loads Em xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”
“What can I say, a wonderful friend that will stay with me in my heart forever. Gone but not forgotten xxx”
“I remember the beautiful baby, the wonderful young lady you grew into, a loving caring nature, that is so rare in children today. You will always be remembered for all the good things you did in your short life. xx”
Recognitions
Attended the Queens Garden Party - 2019
Herefordshire Community Champions Award & Champion of Champions
Chairman’s Certificate of Commendation by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
