Farewell Richard, the greatest big brother in world

Eighteen-year-old Richard Harvey, of Helford Close, Ronkswood, died after his Peugeot 106 Quicksilver hit a tree at Crown East, near Worcester. His friend - 18-year-old Ross Hodgkins, of Goldsmith Road, Warndon - was also killed.

At Richard's funeral service yesterday, his 15-year-old sister Charlotte gave a moving tribute, describing him as the "greatest big brother in the world" and spoke of the happy family holidays they had as children, racing each other to get to the sea.

She said: "You always looked out for me, though, you made me so proud, Richard. You meant so much to me and everybody.

"Not for one second will you be out of my mind and heart - it'll break if that happens."

Sister Joan Hudspeth, of the Church Army of St Matthew's Church, Ronks-wood, said the overwhelming feeling she got from Richard's family was that he was deeply loved and gave love himself.

She added: "It's not possible for any one person to sum up Richard's life, as so many people were involved in it either at a deep level or at the far edges."

More than 300 friends and relatives attended the service, with the message 'Gone but not forgotten Rich & Ross' etched on the rear windscreen of one mourner's car.

The service included a reading of a poem by Richard's great aunt and opened with the song The World's Greatest by R Kelly, ending with the poignant Missing You by Puff Daddy.

Sister Hudspeth said Richard was a keen sportsman, playing football and cricket as well as playing hockey for both Worcester and Worcestershire.

"From an early age, he knew what he wanted from life, and scared his mum and dad half to bits by having his stabilisers off his bike almost straight away and going racing off."

Richard went to Ronks-wood Primary School and had been in his third year as an apprentice mechanic at the Peugeot garage in St Peter's, Worcester.

Ross's funeral is due to take place at Worcester Crematorium at 3pm on Monday.