Brothers’ bike ride for Lauren Masters

Elton Johns and his brother, Nathan, will be cycling from Hastings Pier to Brighton Pier, a distance of 36 miles, on Saturday, November 7, to raise money for Lauren’s two children, three-year-old Tyler and 16-month-old Oscar.

The mother-of-two, of Sutherland Avenue, Bexhill, died on August 28. She was 20.

Paul Withers, 21, from Bexhill, has been charged with her murder.

He is due to appear at Lewes Crown court on December 18.

Elton said: “Her sudden and tragic death has sadly left two boys without a mum. Lauren’s mum, Michelle, is currently looking after her grandsons. As a dad myself, I know how much it costs to raise a child.

“Both my brother Nathan and I work for Royal Mail, myself as a postman for nearly 13 years in Bexhill, and my brother Nathan as a postman for seven years and a manager for the last five in Hastings and Bexhill.

“We both worked with Michelle at Royal Mail in Bexhill for eight years and we knew Lauren since she was 12.

“Lauren was fantastic with my children and I knew she would go on to become a fantastic mother herself. Her family, friends and the community are devastated by her death, but it will be Tyler and Oscar that will be the most affected by this shocking tragedy.

“Nathan and I plan to do the sponsored bike ride to raise as much money as we can for Michelle and her family to reduce the financial stress at this very sad and difficult time for them.

“We know there will be many costs in raising the boys and our aim is to provide longer term funds to assist in the future, like for childcare, school uniforms, after school clubs, and school trips and everyday childcare costs.

“We would like to thank shops in Bexhill, Little Common and Catsfield for their support in putting flyers in windows and having collection tins. Some shops have directly sponsored us and we are very grateful for their donations. All Post Offices in Bexhill have flyers up and collection tins for anyone without internet access.”

Online donations can be made via the Just Giving website link, crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Tyler-Oscar

Family pays tribute to much-loved Lauren Masters

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.