THE family of former Exeter schoolboy Mason Jones who died in a motorcycle crash said they have been overwhelmed by the support from the community.
An estimated 500 people attended the 18-year-old's funeral at St Andrew's Church in Cullompton last week and a shrine near the site of his crash – dubbed Mason's Corner – continues to grow.
Mason's family have now revealed they hope to have a memorial bench at the site and another one in Exeter.
And they said the public's response has been a "huge comfort" as they struggle to come to terms with their loss.
His step-mother Jo Cook, who lives in Cullompton with Masons' father David Jones, said: "The funeral was a celebration of his life. It was amazing and the church was filled to the rafters with more than 500 people.
"It was a fantastic send-off. There were lots of tears and lots of laughter as we remembered all his antics. He touched so many people's hearts in his 18 years and there were people there from all ages and backgrounds.
"We are still getting messages every day. We knew he was popular but not to the degree we have seen. It has been overwhelming to see how well loved he is.
"It has been amazing – the tributes, support and the way the friends have gathered together to help us as a family."
Jo said the family visit Mason's corner every day as a way to feel closer to him.
Longer term they plan to site a memorial bench there and in the shorter term a memorial planter is going to be placed close to St Andrew's Church in Cullompton, where Mason would regularly attend.
"As a family, we are looking at memorial bench in Exeter and the main one will be at Mason's Corner," said Jo.
"The area become a shrine the morning after the accident for all his friends and everyone to feel close to him. It is somewhere he spent a lot of his time and was a meeting point for him and his mates.
"We are looking into donations to see how much we have and then will approach highways and see what process we have to go through. We want it to be something unique.
"The support has been massive and has given us a lot of comfort. His memory and legacy will live on."
In a statement released shortly after his death, Masons mum Shona and sisters Zoe, Heidi and Cassie, said: "Mason you have touched so many people. Your friends and family have made you proud by celebrating your life with everyone who knew you."
