Four-year-old Max Rimmer-Chambers sadly died in May 2017
Left to right: Vinay Chauhan, Placement Coordinator, Probation Service; Kerrie Rimmer-Chambers and Adam Powsney, Community Payback Manager, Probation Service.(Image: Ministry of Justice)
A woman who lost her young son to a tragic accident has praised people carrying out Community Payback for their help in transforming an Openshaw park in her son’s memory.
Kerrie Rimmer-Chambers’ only-child, Max, sadly died in May 2017 aged four-years-old when a fireplace surround fell on him. Hundreds of people attended his funeral and donated money, which inspired his family to give back to their community.
To commemorate Max, Kerrie and her husband Colin launched cycling project Max Trax to provide the community with a new activity hub. When completed later this year, Max Trax at Delamere Park will include a bike track and community hub which will be free for anyone to use.
Kerrie, 48, from Newhaven Avenue, Openshaw, enlisted the help of the Probation Service after hearing about Community Payback, a punishment made by the courts which involves offenders carrying out unpaid work as part of their sentence.
Left to right: Vinay Chauhan, Placement Coordinator, Probation Service; Kerrie Rimmer-Chambers and Adam Powsney, Community Payback Manager, Probation Service.(Image: Ministry of Justice)
She said: “I find it hard explaining what it means to me and the Openshaw community about the work carried out by people on Community Payback at Max Trax.
“I don’t think we could’ve done it without them. They have been amazing, courteous, hard-working – and many of them have done extra work like helping with other tasks that needed doing after they’ve done their hours.
“Max was a beautiful young boy, and I’m devastated to have lost him. But I was determined that something good should come out of his life, and Community Payback is helping me achieve that.”
Max Rimmer-Chambers, 4(Image: PA)
The facility, which has won funding from NatWest, Manchester City Council and the local community, will also include: a cycle repair centre, bike area for toddlers, an all wheels pump track and community space.
Offenders carried out work including clearing pathways around the park, re-painting the fencing, learning to repair and maintain bikes, making flower beds, clearing and creating the dog friendly area and helping to set up the kiosk.
Adam Powsney, Community Payback manager for the Probation Service in Greater Manchester, said: “As a fellow bereaved parent, I deeply identify with Kerrie’s cause.
Kerrie Rimmer with her son Max Rimmer-Chambers(Image: PA)
“We’re proud that the hard work carried out by people on probation has made a real difference for the people of Openshaw and helped create a lasting legacy for Max.”
Kerrie previously said her son would “absolutely love” the campaign and added that “he would be on top of the world” to see the positive impact he has made within his community.
“I can picture him even now – he would be out there fundraising and inviting all his friends,” she said. “Even people that didn’t know Max now talk about him and say to me ‘I can just picture his bubbly, outgoing personality’, and it’s just a joy to hear.”
For more information about MaxTrax and how to donate to the charity, visit: Max Trax.