Forever 26

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Forever 26 Trust awarded Charitable Status

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:03:00 +0000

The Trustee's of the Forever 26 Trust are please to announce that the Trust has been awarded charitable status by the New Zealand Charities Commission.

Matamanoa Island Resort to possibly face criminal charges

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +0000

A criminal case against the owner of a Fijian resort after the death of a Kiwi honeymooner would make history in the Pacific country.

Rebecca Stockwell, of Blenheim, died after being hit by a boat propeller as she snorkelled with her husband at Matamanoa Island on November 30, 2007.

A spokeswoman for the Director of Public Prosecutions in Fiji said the office was considering criminal charges against the company's owner.

This had never been attempted so it remained to be seen whether it was possible.

"We are of the view that it can be done. There's nothing in the law to stop us," she said." Once the police have completed their investigations, we will make a determination on whether there's sufficient evidence to charge the company."

The spokeswoman confirmed since Stockwell's death there had been another boating accident in which a male tourist suffered injuries. She believed he was also a New Zealander.

The boat driver who hit Rebecca, Tomasi Natutuvuli Tovou, pleaded guilty to manslaughter this week and was sentenced to a year in jail, suspended for two years. This means he will serve no time in prison unless he commits another crime during that period.

Rebecca's father, Mark Crawley, said while Tovou had made a mistake, it was the island's owner who the family held as primarily responsible. If simple safety measures had been followed, his daughter would be alive, Mark said. These included having a guard on the boat propeller and buoys or signs to designate safe swimming areas.

The family planned to bring a civil action against the owner and manager of Matamanoa Island, but were also hopeful of criminal charges being laid.

"The prosecution have made it clear that there's a lot of pressure now within Fiji for it to start actively looking at bringing manslaughter charges, criminal charges, against companies," he said." It's taken quite a time to ramp up because they are not used to even investigating such charges, but we believe there's international pressure from more than one government for this to happen."

With permission of the Press.

Push to lift resort safety

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:45:00 +0000

The family of a 26-year-old Blenheim honeymooner tragically killed a year ago in Fiji has spent the last 12 months trying to raise public awareness of lax safety measures in many exotic holiday locations. Few people appear to be taking any notice, ALEX VAN WEL of the Christchurch Press reports.

"I've just got to do as much as I can, as much as Rebecca would have expected me to do. I can't really do anything else," said Mark Crawley on the phone from the UK, his voice beginning to crack up with emotion and fatigue.

A year after the death of his daughter, Rebecca Stockwell (nee Crawley) in Fiji, the feelings of loss are clearly no less intense.

"I will be working for my little lady till the day that I die, no matter what happens. Such is life," he said.

Mark Crawley, an inventor and entrepreneur, currently divides his time between Britain, America and New Zealand.

In May he, his ex-wife and Rebecca's mother, Heather Richards, and maritime engineer John Smart (father of Sounds murder victim Ben Smart) set up Forever 26, a charitable trust aimed at improving safety awareness in Fiji.

Rebecca was killed in what first appeared to be a freak boating accident at the Matamanoa Resort in the west Fijian Mamanuca islands. On the second day of an exotic holiday she was fatally injured by the propeller of a speedboat while in a swimming area.

The 26-year-old was on honeymoon with her husband, Hayden, and died only six days after the two were married in Blenheim.

A Fijian man, 27-year-old Tomasi Natutuvuli Tovou, will go on trial for manslaughter early next year. It is alleged that he negligently drove the boat into a restricted area.

Crawley blames the death on a failure to put standard safety mechanisms in place.

"This is not about being vindictive, this is about education," he said. "A $199 propeller guard on their own in-shore craft and Rebecca almost certainly would have been alive. And a boom-buoy system that marked their own channel out, their own boating channel, which we would estimate at around $1000, and Rebecca would definitely be alive . . . categorically."

There is little doubt that Rebecca's death sent a shockwave through the Fijian tourism industry.
Josefa Qarase, a marine surveyor with the Fijian Maritime Safety Authority, told The Press it boosted an initiative to raise standards.

"There have been ongoing awareness programmes conducted with all the small boat operators, but we've stepped it up," he said.

Qarase said there had been further incidents since last year, but none of them involved loss of life.

He said he was not in a position to say whether there had been a specific effort to ensure that all resort boats were now fitted with propeller guards.

From Australia, a spokesman for the Lonely Planet guidebooks said that judging by the feedback it received on its website, Fijian resorts had not been highlighted as wanting in terms of general safety. Raphel Richards added that looking specifically at water safety in resorts around the world, the main criticisms related to diving.

"Travellers who do contact us are often concerned with the level of qualifications, maintenance of equipment and site selection for these courses," he said. "We haven't received any specific concerns regarding Fiji . . . it's usually where diving is popular."

But Mark Crawley believes that Rebecca's death shone a light on a much deeper and universal problem with travel to exotic resorts.

"We as human beings abdicate responsibility in situations like going on holiday," he said. "We have this mental thing that if you are paying $600 a night for accommodation, then therefore you must be getting value in everything."

He argues that while travel brochures routinely provide detail on meals, rooms and environment, few offer the same focus on safety.

The chief executive of New Zealand's Travel Agents Association, Paul Yeo, agreed.

"I have to admit safety standards and issues like that aren't usually top of most people's list. A lot of people don't have an interest. It's only after the fact that something goes wrong, sadly."

Yeo said price was usually the overwhelming concern, and he welcomed a re-examination of safety information in travel guides.

"It is when there are issues that these things get raised. So, I think it is great that people are raising these issues because it is essentially market-led."

With permission of the Press.

Rebecca Louise, Forever to be 26

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:54:00 +0000

Unfathomable! Incomprehensible!

How can one possibly try to understand the true depths and meanings of these two words?

We are taught that the Universe extends out to infinity in all directions around us, and while our minds find this an almost impossible concept to accept, we are more likely to be able to understand this physical truth than we are to understand the meaning of these two words!

One year passed of unfathomable grief and despair!

One year passed of unfathomable kindness and support from so many who loved Rebecca; some known to us and some unknown, but all so sincerely and deeply appreciated!

One year passed of incomprehensible disrespect and ignorance from just a few towards those who knew Rebecca from the day she was borne, held her in their arms as she emerged vibrantly into this world, and loved her from the bottom of their hearts and souls until she was incomprehensibly and unfathomably taken away from us all!

They say that time heals all, and for so many this will surely be the case, but when your own flesh and blood is torn from your life so senselessly, for a very lonely few it is unfathomable and incomprehensible that there ever will be a day or a time when any of this makes sense, when the world will be “right” ever again.

But whoever we are and wherever we are on this day, the 30th of November 2008, one year to the day since Rebecca was torn from our lives through sheer and utter negligence, today is for uniting together and remembering our child, our sister, our step-daughter, our granddaughter, our niece, our cousin, our colleague, our wife and for each and every single one of us, our friend.

Rebecca Louise, forever to be twenty-six years old; in our hearts, in our minds, in our memories, and for those of us who believe there will come a day when each and everyone one of us who knew and loved her will see her again, in our lives.

Wherever Rebecca is now, both of her parents hope that there is a dance floor nearby, so that one day in the future we can once again have the chance to hold her in our arms, dance with her around the floor and tell our little girl just how proud of her we are and just how much we love her; yesterday, today and tomorrow, out to the infinity that is the universe!

Fijian faces trial over death of Kiwi honeymooner

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:03:00 +0000

The man charged with the manslaughter of Blenheim woman Rebecca Stockwell (nee Crawley) who was killed while on her honeymoon in Fiji will go on trial in March.

Boat labourer Tomasi Natutuvuli Tovou, 27, was the driver of the boat that allegedly hit Mrs Stockwell as she snorkelled with her husband Hayden on November 30 last year. The couple were staying at the Matamanoa Island resort.

Blenheim police detective sergeant John Hamilton said information he received from an investigator on the case in Fiji stated Tovou would appear for a pre-trial conference on February 16, with the hearing due to start on March 9.

Fiji assistant police spokesman corporal Josaia Weicavu said the boat Tuvou was driving on the day Mrs Stockwell was killed was allegedly on the wrong side of the buoys used to mark a boat lane.

The Marlborough Express Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Forever 26 Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:40:00 +0000

It is a sad fact that in many areas of life, perception differs greatly from reality!

This is particularly so when it comes to hotels and holiday resorts around the globe with guest access to open waters, and most particularly with young adults and families with children where the full range of facilities on offer are embraced with enthusiasm by one and all.

Typically the daily room rate is high due to the access to pearly white beaches and unspoiled reefs just waiting to be explored, and because of this, one and all automatically associate the expensive holiday with the full provision of services; including the abdication of all aspects of our health and safety to the hotel or resort who themselves are enjoying the rewards of our hard earned cash.

And therein lies the problem; in countless such hotels and resorts around the world, health and safety measures for their guests is minimal to nonexistent, and we should know, as we lost our eldest daughter Rebecca on a pearly white beach at the end of November last year in an incident that was totally and utterly preventable.

Even sadder than this is the fact that Becky is not the first person to die this way, but we seek to ensure that she is the last. The Forever 26 Trust has been formally established to try and prevent any other family ever having to bring their child home the way that we had to bring our Becky!

On the 8th of May 2008, The Forever 26 Deed of Trust was formally signed by the founding trustee’s who are Heather Richards, Becky’s mother, Mark Crawley, Becky's father and John Smart.

John is a long-standing family friend, a maritime engineer who continues to work extensively in the maritime field internationally, and is the father of Ben Smart who along with Olivia Hope disappeared in the Marlborough Sounds a decade ago.

Heather, John and I fully support the aims and goals of the Forever 26 Trust which include:

The mandatory requirement for propeller guards on all inshore craft owned and operated by commercial operations where the craft may operate near their own guests
The mandatory requirement for minimum international standard boom-buoy systems to ensure the same inshore craft of commercial operations can never encroach into approved guest swimming areas
A change in regulations to make it law that the number of operators of such inshore craft must be a minimum of two; one driving and one acting as lookout
A change in regulations to set minimum international standards for signage around such resorts, and
A change in regulations to set minimum international standards of medical facilities and trained staff to be available at all times.

The Forever 26 Trust also seeks to increase safety awareness through campaigning for travel brokers internationally to include health and safety as comparative information available in their brochures along with the current comparisons of food quality, room quality and the like.

The Forever 26 Trust also in part seeks to hold those accountable who through their negligence caused such a senseless death to occur.

This may seem to some a big task, but it is achievable and lives will be saved. Becky was not the first to die, but we can make her the last, and to achieve this, Heather, John and I need help; we need your help.

If you wish to discuss this further with me, please contact me on mark@forever26.com.

The Forever 26 Trust has formally applied for charitable status in New Zealand and this will be retrospective back to the 8th of May 2008. We can see no reason for this formal request to be denied, however this is a long process and the outcome will not be known for at least another 3 months.

If at any time you wish to make a donation, this can be made:

Directly at any National Bank in New Zealand under the name of “Forever 26”,
By the PayPal button on the right side of the screen, or
Through a funds transfer to:

The National Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim Branch 40 - 42 Market Street, Blenheim
SWIFT Code: ANZBNZ22
Account Name: FOREVER 26
Account: 06 - 0601 - 0211815 - 30
Sort Code (if Required separately): 06 - 0601

Any assistance will be most gratefully received. We cannot do this without your support.

From approximately 12:30 pm today New Zealand time, 3rd Jul 2008, and for approximately the next 24 hours, an interview on the TV New Zealand “Good Morning” program will be accessible through the following link:

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvone_minisite_index_skin/tvone_good_morning_group

Thank you for reading this, thank you to all who care for and love Rebecca, and thank you sincerely on behalf of Heather, John and myself and all of Becky’s family to those who can help us make some sense out of Becky’s death by doing our best to make sure that she is the last of our children to be brought home in this way.

With your help, we can make a difference; we can save lives; and we can bring some meaning to Rebecca’s death.

A Bottle of Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:53:00 +0000

On November 3rd and 4th, just three weeks before they were married, Rebecca and Hayden spent the weekend with Rebecca’s father Mark, her eldest sister Nichola and her little brother Nicholas.

On Saturday there was a long debate as to what would be the most entertaining way to spend the afternoon. Nichola passionately held out for Mini Golf in Picton, but the majority ruled, so everyone climbed into the Bighorn and set off for an afternoon of wine tasting.

As Hayden drove down Old Renwick Road, Rebecca insisted “track 10” on the CD be played, her favourite tune of all time, and played at full volume! With Rebecca in the back singing along to “One Night in Bangkok” at the top of her voice, anywhere down Rapara Road was as good a place to start as anywhere.

If the day started out happy, after a few stops it was even happier, and Domain George Michel was added to the list. Rebecca loved some of their wine so much, out came the credit card and a few bottles purchased. As she was completing the purchase, she noticed a large jar on the desk with a sign noting that a monthly draw was made for a free bottle of wine. So, into the bottle went her business card.

She asked her Dad for one of his business cards as well, and as there was no New Zealand address on his business card, she wrote her home address on the back and added it to the pile.

On Friday December 7th, the day after the family returned to New Zealand from Fiji with Rebecca, everyone met at Hayden’s for lunch and in the middle of the meal a Post Haste Courier arrived.

It was a bottle of Domain George Michel Golden Mile Pinot Noir for Rebecca’s Dad, the prize winner for the November 07 draw.

Julie Yonge of Domain George Michel said that they are always very careful to ensure that the draw each month is fair and unbiased. When the draw was initially made, it was Rebecca’s business card that was drawn first. Julie had worked with Rebecca briefly in the past at Century 21 in Blenheim so knew that she had just been tragically killed.

There was a further problem however, as when Rebecca’s card was drawn it was attached to a second business card, thereby invalidating the draw.

Both business cards were put aside and a second draw made.

This time, and maybe with a little “assistance” from Rebecca, her Dad’s card was drawn.

The very gratefully received bottle of Pinot Noir, along with the business card with Rebecca’s own hard writing on the back, are now safely locked away, to be opened maybe one day in the future in memory of Rebecca.

Rebecca’s Dad is sincerely grateful to Julie Yonge and Domain George Michel for this wonderful memory.

Rebecca fund may be used to help children

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:06:00 +0000

A fund set up by the family of Marlborough woman Rebecca Stockwell who was killed in Fiji on her honeymoon will probably to be used to help children.

Rebecca Stockwell's huband, Hayden, and her parents, Heather Richards and Mark Crawley, have yet to work out details of the fund but feel some of the money should be spent in Fiji.

Heather said her daughter loved children, and she hoped to use some of the fund money to help children in Fiji as she feels that would make Rebecca happy.

Heather said she could talk for hours about the daughter she was immensely proud of and the world was a poorer place without her.

"Talking in the past tense is the hardest thing," she said.

Mark said the fund was in its early stages as they needed to work through Fiji regulations and wait for outcomes of various inquiries.

He said safety in resorts was becoming more important as more powerful boats were being used. The fund will also probably be used to promote water safety.

He said nothing would ever be 100 percent safe but if they could prevent another family going through the same thing that would be good.

"I still can't wrap my mind around it. All I can say is there is part of me utterly wants to panic at the thought of never seeing her again."

He had a business idea with his daughter and intends to continue what they started with some of the profits going towards the Forever 26 fund.

Hayden said Rebecca was very much loved by her friends and family and he would like the fund to be able to do something in her memory.

"I just want people to know what a great girl she was."

For information on how to donate to the fund, use the PayPal Button on the right hand side or read the article below "In Memory of Rebecca, Forever to be 26 ".

Based on a story in the Marlborough Express, 9th January 2008.

Rebecca illustration kindly forwarded by Nicky Meadowcroft.

Forever 26 in Rebecca's memory

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:05:00 +0000

In his first interview since his wife Rebecca Stockwell (nee Crawley) was killed by a boat while on honeymoon in Fiji, Hayden Stockwell talked to RACHEL YOUNG of the Marlborough Express about his horrendous day.

Hayden and Rebecca had arrived on the island of Matamanoa, for their honeymoon the day before and spent their first day swimming, lying on the beach and walking.

The next morning they had breakfast and lay on the beach for an hour or so before going into the water.

Hayden said they had been in the water for about five minutes and were 15 metres from the shore in a dedicated swimming and snorkling area from which boats were barred, when a passing boat hit Rebecca.

The couple were taken to shore aboard the boat, helicoptered to the airport and then taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Hayden said Rebecca fought and was unconscious for about four hours before she died. "The week before, I told her I'd spend the rest of my life with her and six days later she's gone."

The morning of the accident, Hayden's wedding ring fell off in the water while he was swimming, but when he arrived back to New Zealand his brother-in-law had had a replica made.

Hayden said wearing the ring helped him feel like a part of Rebecca is still here.

After the accident, Hayden phoned his mother and asked her to phone family members and friends. He waited in Fiji with the resort manager until members of his family and Rebecca's family arrived.

Getting back here was hard. It was good to be back and have everyone around but it just made it more real."

Hayden stayed with his mother on his first night back and the next day he went back to the house he and Rebecca had shared.

"Walking through that front door was awful really."

He hasn't been able to face the pile of wedding presents that awaited him and has put them in the untouched bedroom. For now, he prefers to sleep on the couch.

Rebecca's dogs, which were her babies, were a comforting presence, he said.

He said the time in Fiji and immediately after was a blur and he had no idea how he coped, but he credits his family and friends and the support of the town as important.

Hayden first thought that he would never go back to Fiji, but said he may feel the need to on their anniversary.

He said he did not find it hard going out to Rebecca's grave but found it very hard to leave.
"She may just walk around the corner."

Hayden and Rebecca's parents, Heather Richards and Mark Crawley are setting up a fund to promote water safety and increase general safety awareness and in part to make accountable those who caused her death to occur.

The fund is called the Forever 26 fund.
One of the things Hayden would like to see changed after the accident is the enforcement of rules about boats and recreational swimming areas in Fiji resorts.

Hayden said helping do that would be a comfort to him.

Based on a story in the Marlborough Express, 8th January 2008.

Tragedy ends family's shared business dream

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:39:00 +0000

When Blenheim honeymooner Rebecca Crawley was killed in Fiji, it ended her dream to work in the American corporate world on a special project.

It was special because it involved an innovation her father, Mark, has filed patents on, and she would have worked alongside him with globally recognised brands such as McDonald's, Disney and Universal Studios.

It was a dream her new husband, Hayden Stockwell, shared, and the plan was to move to North America to make it a reality.

The dream was shattered when the couple, married just six days, were snorkelling at a Fijian resort and a boat ran into Rebecca, killing her.

That was four weeks ago, and friends and family have struggled to come to terms with her death, holding on to the memory of a vivacious young woman. A photograph published in newspapers and on website Forever26 dedicated to her memory shows her at her wedding laughing and reaching out. She is talking to a child not seen in the photo, but it shows her happiness and excitement.

"Rebecca lit up any room anywhere. Her laughter and her energy would utterly fill that room," Mark said.

That is the Rebecca most people knew, but there was another _ a "switched-on" businesswoman, as Hayden describes her. She had completed a Bachelor of Commerce in international marketing and management at Canterbury University.

Businessman and Canterbury University marketing lecturer Bob Peffers said from the United States that she was creative and had a strong business focus.

"It's a combination I have seen only rarely in students, especially in New Zealand. She had the potential to take a real leadership role," he said. "Of the students that I see coming out of higher education, she had the highest potential to move straight up the ladder."

In two gap years during her university time she had worked with her father at Coca-Cola in Atlanta and with Bacardi Martini in Britain.

"She was young _ she was 21, 22 _ but she blew everybody away everywhere she went," said Mark.

Harry Epstein, innovation vice- president for Havi Global Solutions in the US, a major supplier of products and services to McDonald's, said: "Rebecca had a lot of good energy. She had a lot of passion for the business and the concept and what her role was going to be. She was going to be a great part of the team."

Mark, who describes himself as an over-qualified Cantabrian, has three university degrees in engineering and works in innovative design. The inventor-entrepreneur has several patents and loves a challenge.

Four years ago he was set one when he was at the Paysanne restaurant in Blenheim with his three children. Daughter Nichola was waitressing, but had the night off, and introduced him to the other waitresses.

"They asked me if I could invent a drinking straw to stop it floating up and trying to fall out of a carbonated drink. It was all a lot of fun and everybody laughed about it," he said.

It got him thinking, and that bit of fun has led to something more serious.

Later, Mark, who was then based in Britain, flew home via Asia to attend his daughter's graduation in Christchurch. At a business meeting in Seoul, a South Korean businessman made a comment about a problem with making a special novelty straw.

"That night in my hotel room thinking about how to solve that problem led to me coming up with this new process," he said. "The process allows us to take an existing tube-based product, such as a pen, drinking straw or toothpaste tube, and at very high speed and with minimal cost we can three-dimensionally reform it into an item of high promotional value.

"For example, we can turn a drinking straw into a children's toy."

The invention has led to patents being filed internationally. "It is now tied up with McDonald's Corporation and will ultimately be tied up with virtually every brand, particularly Disney, Universal Studios, the alcohol brands, Hasbro and Mattel _ absolutely everybody."

Harry Epstein, who is on the McDonald's innovation committee, said the technology Mark had invented could be used in a lot of marketing and toy applications. "It's just a matter of imagination and coming up with ideas that meet needs," he said.

The dream was for Rebecca and Hayden to join Mark at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada, where he is now based.

Rebecca was to work with her father in progressing a business plan for the innovation.
"Her job in the first year would have been to work with a mutual friend who is a former Coca-Cola corporate executive to complete the marketing plans that are required to present the products we can derive out of our processes to all major brands," said Mark.

Hayden, a builder, said it was his wife's dream. "No matter what, that was going to be the plan." They had hoped to go next year, depending on finance being secured for the business.

"She loved her dad," said Mark. "We had an amazing bond. She loved what I did and she was my greatest supporter. Rebecca's dream was to run the corporation, but she had to start out as a vice-president."

Now he will have to do it without her.

With permission of the Press.

In Memory of Rebecca, Forever to be 26

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 01:23:00 +0000

A fund called Forever 26, in memory of Blenheim honeymooner Rebecca Crawley killed while snorkeling in Fiji, has been started to improve safety in the island resorts - and to make accountable those who caused her death.

Rebecca, who would have turned 27 yesterday, was snorkeling with her husband of just six days, Hayden Stockwell, at the island of Matamanoa on November 30 when she was struck by a boat's propeller.

Rebecca's father, Mark Crawley, said the fund was in her memory so the family could take something positive out of what had happened.

"We hope that somehow in her death there is as much if not more meaning than there was in her life.

"The fund would be applied to water safety to stop this ever happening again.

"We understand that you can never make anything 100 per cent safe, but if we can stop one other family going through what we have in losing Rebecca -- it's not enough but is at least something which gives some meaning."

Part of the fund would also be used to "make accountable those who through their negligence have caused such a senseless death".

Donations to the fund can be made through a tribute website, FOREVER26.com, or a National Bank account.

Within New Zealand, the Account details are:

National Bank, Blenheim Branch
Account Name, FOREVER 26
Account 06 - 0601 - 0211815 - 30

Internationally, the Account details are:

The National Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim Branch
40 - 42 Market Street, Blenheim
SWIFT Code ANZBNZ22
Account Name, FOREVER 26
Account 06 - 0601 - 0211815 - 30
Sort Code (if Required separately) 06 - 0601

The family is waiting for the outcome of a Fiji police inquiry into the death, and in New Zealand Christchurch-based Coroner Sue Johnson has started an inquiry.

The coroner said she was not satisfied that all the circumstances would be inquired into in Fiji. "If necessary I will ask somebody from the New Zealand police to go to Fiji ... it's something I would do if I felt I needed to get information."

The coroner has been able to open an inquiry because Rebecca's body was returned to New Zealand.

Wth permission of the Press.

Bubbles for Becky - 24th December 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:49:00 +0000

On the 24th December 1980, in Christchurch Woman’s Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed gift that was Rebecca Louise Crawley was born.

Right from the first seconds of her life Rebecca was not one to “follow the crowd”. She decided to come into this world face-up rather than face-down, which meant a difficult forceps delivery for both Heather and Rebecca. She came into the world her way, and that is the way she lived her life.

Just a few minutes after her arrival, and as her mother recovered from the pain of her birth (a very small amount of which I shared with Heather as she had squashed my left hand so hard during Rebecca’s birth that the ring indentations in my two fingers adjacent to my ring-finger remained for hours), I got to hold my first-born little girl in my arms. And as I stared into her beautiful blue eyes in those first moments of her life, I was lost forever in the enchantment that was Rebecca.

I also apologised to her for “bringing her into such a cruel world ruled by Robert Muldoon”!

Today it is 24th December 2007, the day Rebecca would be turning 27 years old.

From that first moment of her life when I was caught in the enchanting spell that was Rebecca Louise Crawley, a spell that also enchanted her mother Heather, her siblings and then her husband Hayden Stockwell, along with countless family, friends, acquaintances and business associates all around the world, Rebecca touched the hearts and lives of all of those she met.

In fact one lady who was also staying on Matamanoa Resort Island, the night before negligence led to her death, was deeply touched by Rebecca purely because of the way Rebecca smiled at her as they passed.

So today, less than a month after she was so cruelly taken from us, to all who ever had the amazing good fortune to know Rebecca and even to those whose lives were touched by her even if you never met her in person, please find a glass of Bubbly at sometime today and raise a toast to Rebecca.

Happy Birthday Rebecca.

Bubbles for Becky, forever to be 26.

Fiji death inquiry welcomed

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:46:00 +0000

The family of honeymooner Rebecca Crawley has welcomed the opening of a New Zealand inquiry into her death in Fiji.

Christchurch-based Coroner Sue Johnson has opened the inquiry. An inquest will be held in Blenheim.

The 26-year-old Blenheim woman, who had been married just six days, was snorkelling with husband Hayden Stockwell off the island of Matamanoa on November 30 when a boat propeller hit her. She was flown to hospital but died.

Her father, Mark Crawley, said yesterday the family supported the New Zealand inquiry.

The coroner has appealed for information from anyone who was in the resort area at the time of the death.

With permission of the Press.

Photos of Becky

noreply@blogger.com (David Wilson) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 10:57:00 +0000

Were you a Witness? Are you aware any similar incidents in the Fijian Islands?

noreply@blogger.com (David Wilson) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:22:00 +0000

The family of Rebecca fully supports the efforts of both the Fijian Police as well as the New Zealand Coroner, and this end, we would be grateful for anyone who might have witnessed Rebecca's death on the 30th November 2007 at Matamanoa to come forward.

As the family tries to come to terms with Rebecca's death, we would also be grateful to make contact ourselves with witnesses who have already made a Statement with the police.

In the days since her death, we have been made aware of a number of similar incidents in the Fijian Islands over the past few years and contact relative to any similar incident is also of significant importance to the family.

If you feel you can help as a witness or know of any previous incident, whether or not it resulted in a tragic death, we would be most sincerely grateful if you could please contact Mark Crawley, Becky's Dad, at mark@forever26.com.

Tributes flow for killed honeymooner

noreply@blogger.com (Mark Crawley) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:16:00 +0000

Family and friends yesterday farewelled Rebecca Stockwell who was killed while on her honeymoon last week.

Two bright red high-heeled shoes adorned the coffin of a women described as an inspiration, a breath of fresh air and someone who lit up every room she walked into.

Rebecca Stockwell (nee Crawley), 26, was farewelled at a large gathering called "Forever 26" held in Blenheim's Church of Nativity yesterday.

Rebecca was killed during her honeymoon on the island of Matamanoa in Fiji last Friday, after she was hit by a boat while she was snorkelling.

Yesterday, family and friends packed the church, all wearing an item of pink clothing or other pink adornment as a mark of respect for her. Friends and Rebecca's sisters described her as loyal, a leader who enjoyed adventures and a woman who loved buying new shoes.

Funeral officiator Terry Terril said that just two weeks ago he presided over Rebecca and Hayden's wedding.

Hayden Stockwell spoke with the arms of Rebecca's parents around him. "You're my best friend. You are the centre of my world. You will always be in my thoughts, my dreams and especially my heart. I will always cherish every moment that we had together," he said.

Rebecca's mother, Heather Richards, said her first-born had a habit of springing surprises on the family. "You pulled us all along with your beautiful energy." "It's the little things that I'm going to miss the most," she said. "I don't know how anyone could feel such overwhelming sadness. (But) I know that you left this earth the happiest you've ever been in your life, with Hayden at your side."

Rebecca's father Mark Crawley said his eldest daughter - "the light of my life" - was taken from him in an act of negligence. He believed she was with those who loved her. "This does not mean that I even have the slightest comprehension why my little girl was taken from me," he added.

Six of Rebecca's school friends, all wearing pink flowers in their hair, remembered a laughing, talkative and loyal friend.

Hayden's sister, a close friend of Rebecca, said her brother had been the happiest he'd even been with his fiance and wife. "For that I will always be grateful," she said.

A former flatmate and colleague described Rebecca as "a shining star, an inspiration".

A Canterbury University professor also addressed the service, saying Rebecca managed to ask him a question he couldn't answer on her first day at lectures."She was creative and full of energy. She had a mind like a steel trap."

Hayden's father Neville Stockwell said everyone couldn't help but love Rebecca. "Bec, you made me very, very proud when you said `I do' to Hayden just a couple of weeks ago.

"What a lady."

Rebecca was buried at Fairhall Cemetery.

With permission of the Press.

Notice of Service

noreply@blogger.com (David Wilson) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:33:00 +0000

STOCKWELL, REBECCA LOUISE (nee CRAWLEY); Hayden, Heather, Mark, Rachael, Denise, Tracey and Deanne would like to inform everyone that we are bringing Bec home from Fiji. We would like to invite all who knew and loved Bec to FOREVER26, a Celebration of her life to be held at the Anglican Church of Nativity in Blenheim on Tuesday 11th of December at 1:00 pm. The Celebration will then continue at a venue to be advised during the service. Out of respect for our Bec, it is suggested that everyone who wishes to do so should wear a touch of pink.

This website allows all to read and share memories of Bec. All are welcome to both read as well as add their own memories and photograph’s.

Family Notice

noreply@blogger.com (David Wilson) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:21:00 +0000

Loved so much by her husband Hayden, and their mates Daisy and Henry. Treasured eldest daughter of Heather Richards and Mark Crawley and step-daughter of Prue Crawley and Tim Gardiner. Adored big sister of Nicky, Rach, Tim and Nicholas and special friend of Kyle. Adored also by her grandparents Ron and Margaret Mills; Rewa and the late Alan Crawley. Special niece of Lionel and Suzie; Grant and Greta; Vivienne and John; Sharon and Stuart; and loved by her cousins. Loved daughter-in-law of Denise and Neville Stockwell, and sister-in-law of Ray and Bev; Tracey and Scott; De and Dylan; and favourite “Becks” of Ty; grand-daughter of Nana; and step daughter-in-law of George King and Sue de Garnham.

You will always be “Forever 26” in our hearts.

Hayden's Notice

noreply@blogger.com (David Wilson) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:18:00 +0000

To my darling wife Boodles, so tragically taken from me on our honeymoon. What we had was so short, but nothing or nobody has ever in my life made me as happy as you have. Your infectious laugh and smile and your glowing eyes will be in my heart forever. You are my rock, my soulmate and my best friend. Until we meet again, my love is yours forever.

Your Honey, Hayden

Deanne Notice

noreply@blogger.com (David Wilson) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:17:00 +0000

My Dear Friend Bec. I have never in my time met such an amazing girl with such a passion for life. Your sparkle and your grace will forever be imprinted in my heart. We have so many great memories that will never be forgotten. What a Lady!

Goodbye my friend. Love always. De ☺

Blenheim honeymooner killed by boat in Fiji

noreply@blogger.com (David Wilson) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:13:00 +0000

Rebecca Stockwell, nee Crawley, and her husband of six days Hayden Stockwell were snorkelling when she was hit by a passing aluminium boat on Friday. Rebecca, 26, known to family and friends as Becky, married Hayden on Saturday November 24. The couple flew to the island of Matamanoa, Fiji on Thursday. The Fiji Times has reported she was airlifted to Lautoka Hospital after the accident and pronounced dead on arrival.

Becky's friends and family say the only comfort they have at this traumatic time was that Becky's last few days were the happiest of her life and she had caught up with her loved ones either in person or by phone as they congratulated her on her wedding. A close school friend Jane Bamfield, whose family hosted Becky's wedding reception, said Becky "went out on top".

"She couldn't have been on more of a high time in her life. (It was the) best time of her life." Becky's parents, Heather Richards and Mark Crawley, her sister Rachael Richards and members of Hayden's family have flown to Fiji to be with Hayden and to bring Becky home. Becky was the eldest of five children. Her other sister Nicky and brothers Tim and Nicholas have remained in New Zealand and are being supported by family and friends.

Becky attended Marlborough Girls' College and went on to Canterbury University to study a Bachelor of Commerce then headed overseas to the United Kingdom and various other locations for two years before returning to Blenheim for work. For the past year she worked at Mark Stevenson First National Real Estate in residential sales. Becky's immediate family have requested that their privacy to be respected at this time, but asked Becky's school friends Jane Bamfield and Michelle Cassidy to talk about her. The women said their friend was loyal, happy, strong and "a real social butterfly".

"Her laugh was infectious. She would laugh and you would laugh at her laugh. (She was) one of the most bubbly people you would have ever met," Jane said. It was not uncommon for Becky to be photographed with her mouth mid-flight, she said. Jane said Becky and Hayden were engaged on Marlborough Anniversary Day last year. They had been together about two years but had been friends for many more.

She said Becky looked "absolutely gorgeous" for the wedding at Hayden's sister's house in Blenheim and was the life of the party at the reception that was held in Jane's family's orchard. She got everyone up dancing and looked like she was having the time of her life. She said it was like Hayden and Becky had been together for years. "She was happier with Hayden than we have ever seen her … They were so in love."

An animal lover, Becky and Hayden enjoyed walking her black labrador Henry and her corgi cross Daisy, Michelle said. "They were her babies," Michelle said recalling a time two car loads of friends went to Onamalutu with a packed lunch and when they got there, there was a sign saying "no dogs" so Becky made them all pack up and go somewhere else because the dogs could not stay with them.

Becky was an organiser among their friends, always getting people together to play sport or at school, be involved in theatre. Jane said friends would continue Becky's tradition of hosting a "Bubbles with Becky" evening on her Christmas Eve birthday, by getting together for "Bubbles for Becky."