THE parents of a 16-year-old Haslemere boy killed in a tragic crash in Hindhead on New Year's Day have paid tribute to their son who they said "could light up a room". Sue and Sean Sully have spoken for the first time about the impact the loss of their son, Steven, has had on their lives and said the tragedy had "devastated and shattered the whole family". Mrs Sully said: "Steve always had a smile for everyone and his friends and family, including his 16-year-old brother Jake, his nine-year-old sister Beth and three-year-old sister Eve. "He was sociable and loved partying and could hardly wait until his 17th birthday when he could learn to drive. To lose him in such tragic circumstances is something we will never get over." Steven grew up in Haslemere and was a pupil at Shottermill Infant and Junior Schools, before going on to Woolmer Hill School. At the time of his death he was an apprentice builder with a firm in the Haslemere area. He also loved basketball and coached the sport at Woolmer Hill, where there is now a trophy in his memory. He was also involved in a campaign to reopen the Wey Centre in Haslemere, for young people in the town. The centre was recently reopened and a mural featuring his nickname 'Steve-O' and other graffiti images, hangs in his honour. His parents have also set up the Steve Sully Foundation for 'Projects for the Youth of Haslemere' in his memory. Mrs Sully, who runs Haslemere hairdresser's Hair for Him, said: "Steve was enormously popular and his friends still come round to visit us. "More than 500 people attended his funeral at St Stephen's Church and they couldn't all fit in the building. "It was a fantastic service which was led by the Rev Andrew Gready, who flew over from South Africa because he knew Steve, and was a friend of the family." This is not the first time the family have suffered a tragic loss – they lost their youngest son, Ronan, to cot death in April 2003 at the age of three months and 11 weeks. The boys are buried together at Sunvale Cemetery. Steven was killed instantly as a result of a car crash which happened around 4am on the A287 Hindhead Road on January 1 this year, after spending the evening with friends. Mrs Sully said: "Nothing will bring back our son but I hope that youngsters will learn a valuable lesson from Steve's death about the dangers of drinking and driving and that we can avoid the loss of another life due to stupidity."
