A BEAUTIFUL memorial bench is now taking pride of place at Matchborough Pond, in memory of popular teenager Craig Prentice-Underwood.

Craig, aged 17, died on December 10, 2013.

He was the son of Robert Underwood and Maggie Prentice, who formed cardiac charity Redditch Heart Safe following the death of their 16-year-old daughter Charlotte Marie from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in 2010.

The family fought to raise awareness of SADS, and to raise enough funds to have life-saving defibrillators installed at every Redditch school.

After the official unveiling of Craig's bench, his parents said: "We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to all, including county councillor Joe Baker for his very kind support by using some of his divisional funds to help us purchase the bench in memory of our Craig.

"To Debbie Wicket and all Craig's friends who helped fundraise the remaining funds, we can't thank you all enough.

"The love and support you have shown means the world to us. We hope you enjoy sitting on it and have many great memories to talk about while you're sat on it. You have done your best friend very proud in what you have achieved.

"Thank you to Wayne Beard at Redditch Borough Council, W.D Ornamental Ironworks and RSTS for their full support with the project.

"We hope that anyone that wants to have a quiet moment to remember their loved ones will use Craig's bench as it is there for the whole community to enjoy."

To find out about, or offer support, to Redditch Heart Safe, call 07794 637073, email info@redditchheartsafe.com, visit redditchheartsafe.com, or search for the group on Facebook.