THE mother of a man who died after being struck by a car has unveiled plans to commemorate his life and help people battling addiction.

Kerrin Repman died after being struck by a BMW in Marine Parade, Dovercourt, on April 15 last year.

One year on from Kerrin’s death, his mother Jane Rochford plans to open a drop-in centre for people battling addiction in memory of her son.

She said: “He didn’t get the professional support in Harwich he needed, he needed somewhere closer to home which he could visit more frequently.

“I think if he had somewhere in Harwich life would’ve been a lot better for him.

“He dreamed of opening his own centre, as he knew there was a lot of people like him in Harwich who he wanted to help.

Gazette: Kerrin Repman died a year ago todayKerrin Repman died a year ago today

“Now he has gone I am going to step in and achieve his dream for him.

“It was heart-breaking how quickly he was ripped out of our lives, we never got to say goodbye.

“The family has gone through so much hurt but I’d do it all again to have him back.”

Ms Rochford praised Kerrin’s mentor and key-confidant Tony Francis, who helped the talented 29-year-old chef.

Mr Francis said: “Although there’s a huge age and social distance between us, we became good friends.

“He was caught up in things he battled to be free from.

“Kerrin and I spent many hours, when things were good for him, getting among others with similar problems to him to show them alternative and positive lifestyles and choices.

Gazette: Kerrin was a talented chefKerrin was a talented chef

“One of our last times together, before his death, he was going through a very good spell and we went and spoke to inmates at a prison about all the support available on the outside.”

Mr Francis has approached the tenants of the former Mayflower Project site in George Street with a view to having access to premises there.

It is here where he plans for Kerrin’s dream of a drop-in centre for Harwich to be.

He added: “Kerrin had his best extended period of recovery from addiction working as a chef for GO4 Enterprises in the drop in cafe in Colchester.

“He and I shared a vision to open a similar premises in Harwich.

“That vision has not died.”

In December, a man, 41, of no fixed address was arrested in Ireland in connection with Kerrin’s death.

Essex Police confirmed the extradition process to bring the man back to the UK is still ongoing in the Irish courts.