"Life with Lucas was momentous and magical - life without him has been barren and empty."

These are the words of Lucas Dobson's mother Kirsty Furze from Deal as she marks the first anniversary of her son's death.

Inviting people to join her along the riverbank at Sandwich Quay to remember the six year old today, she recalls his 'snuggly hugs' and 'infectious laugh'.

The weeping willow tree beside the Quay car park has become a place of remembrance for the boy who died after falling into the River Stour, and will once again be a focal point on the first anniversary of his disappearance.

Since the tragic events of last August, the tree has remained adorned with teddies, pictures, banners, candles and other personal items in his honour.

Ms Furze visits the site frequently to remember her son and posts updates to a Facebook page she has set up called ' Lucas’s Law In Loving Memory Of The Little Boy Who Lit Up The Coast 2019'.

She recently posted: "Unbelievably, we are approaching one year since we lost our beautiful, beautiful boy. I honestly don’t know how my family and I have survived without him for so long.

"It has nearly been one year since we have heard his voice - and what a beautiful little voice he had.

"It has nearly been one year since we heard his laugh - infectious, bubbly and gleeful the most gorgeous sound to be heard.

"It has nearly been one year since we have felt his arms wrap tightly around us - his snuggly hugs were the best.

"It has nearly been one year since we have looked into his innocent, beautiful blue eyes - full of life, full of adventure, full of joy, wonder and curiosity.

"It has nearly been one year since we have felt his hair and held his little hand - We will remember the smell of his hair and the feel of his hand for the rest of our lives.

"Nearly one year feels like all the time in the world but also feels like no time at all.

"Life with Lucas was momentous and magical - life without him has been barren and empty.

"As we approach a year without him - 17th August and what should be his 8th birthday - 13th September, if you would like to remember him with us please visit his tree in Sandwich.

"We will be lighting candles, laying flowers and leaving balloons - you may add to our tributes if you would like to.

"Everyone’s support over this past year has been a huge comfort to us and we know how deeply he touched all of your lives.

"Lucas George Dobson we love, love, love you above and beyond anything that can possibly be described in words.

"‘Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with their heart and soul, there is no separation.’ Rumi

"Until we meet again mummy’s Little Prince and Nanny’s Pickle, we will love and remember you always."

Today marks the first anniversary of the disappearance of the six-year-old from Deal after he fell into the River Stour just off Richborough Road in Sandwich.

He was reported missing at 1.20pm prompting a desperate search along the riverbanks and in nearby fields, with hundreds of hopeful volunteers rallying to help.

The hunt ended at 9.15am on Wednesday, August 21 when police confirmed the discovery of a body in the water - later identified to be that of the Warden House Primary pupil.

An inquest held in March this year concluded that Lucas died of immersion and his death was a tragic accident.

Lucas had been playing with other children on the river bank under the supervision of his father Nathan Dobson and friends when he fell into the water between a jetty and a moored boat.

Mr Dobson explained how he was working on one of a number of vessels by the river, while his friend James Fromage was cooking on a barbecue and another friend Pete Snelson was fishing nearby.

Lucas had tried to climb onto one of the boats with other children when there was a "commotion".

Speaking at his inquest, Mr Dobson said: "I looked down for less than a minute, and then I heard a commotion. I stood up and saw the look on James' face, and he said it was Lucas.

"Before a blink of an eye they were in the water looking for him. I saw James and Pete get in the water and I looked which way the current was going and I went a few boats up to jump in the river."

Mr Fromage, at whose riverside property the boats were moored, said he had seen Lucas attempt to climb between the jetty and a boat.

He said: "He went for the rail (of the boat) and lifted his foot and missed the rail and dropped, straight in feet-first. I dropped the barbecue tongs and jumped down to try and grab him but I could not get in the gap between the boat and the mooring."

Recollecting the conditions in the river that summer's afternoon, Mr Fromage told how the "surprisingly strong" current had carried him away from the spot where Lucas was last seen falling into the water.

None of those present when the accident took place, including Lucas, were wearing lifejackets or other safety equipment.

When they were unable to find Lucas, the emergency services were called and word was put out on social media.

Hundreds of worried members of the community joined police, firefighters, coastguard and specialist divers in the search for Lucas which continued for more than four days.

During this time, the town was filled with people, some who had travelled from afar including the next county of Essex to help search for the boy.

Daily briefings took place outside Sandwich Fire Station with people advised on where to search and how to do so safely while St Mary's Art Centre converted into a hub offering free refreshments to helpers.

Sandwich Town Council also waivered its 20p fee for use of the public toilets on the Quay.

Volunteer Annemarie Huigen who founded the refreshments hub at St Mary's told KentOnline: "It was a very sad time in Sandwich but a time when a community spirit was prominent in the town.

"It was quite extraordinary how the people of not only Sandwich but neighbouring towns and other places came to help look for Lucas.

"We provided food and drinks to those helping and we were overwhelmed with by donations not only from individual people but the major supermarkets.

"Again when we opened the book of condolence at St Peter's Church, there were people who had travelled from afar who had seen it on the national news."

A designated Facebook page, Search for Lucas, was set up to provide updates to the community and ensure people’s kind actions did not hinder emergency service efforts.

The public were told to keep their search within 1km of Richborough Road, looking in bushes and calling out his name in case Lucas had been able to pull himself out of the water.

Meanwhile, RNLI crews in dinghies and others rescuers in canoes were visible on the water while up to 20 emergency service vehicles could be seen stationed in a field in Richborough Road.

Reflecting, the Mayor of Sandwich at the time Cllr Jeff Franklin said: "People came from all over and so many people wanted to help, they wanted to do their bit."

He described the work of the Search and Rescue teams as "fantastic" prompting him to donate around £800 to them from his Mayor's Fund.

He continued: "Sandwich is a very caring community and we were so desperate to find the little boy. It was a fantastic effort although sadly not with the outcome anyone wanted."

The search for Lucas continued on Monday and those who couldn't help were able to show their support by attending vigils in towns across the coast.

A gathering on Deal Pier was led by Lucas' distraught mother Kirsty Furze and aunty Macie Stanford while Mr Dobson led crowds in Sandwich. Other events also took place in Dover and Thanet, with those showing support by wearing Lucas' favourite colour, red.

When the search ended, heartfelt tributes flooded social media and flowers and teddies were left on the bank in Sandwich.

The rails at the entrance to Warden House Primary School in Deal were also adorned with tributes including one from a teacher which read: "You will never leave here an empty chair because you will take that chair to heaven with you."

The community continued to show their support by donating £6,000 to give Lucas the "best send off possible" and a further £1,400 towards a memorial bench which has been sited at Warden House Primary School.

Lucas' funeral was held on what would have been his seventh birthday on September 13 at St George's Church off Deal High Street.

Hundreds of mourners attended as he was laid to rest in a coffin decorated in the style of Lightning McQueen, a character from popular Pixar film, Cars.

Police and search and rescue also showed up in uniform and Reverend Peter Ould asked the congregation to give them a standing ovation during the service.

Mr Dobson, said: "Lucas George Dobson, you were my son but you were more that, you were my strength when I was weak.

"I'm sorry you had to leave so soon but I'll always be here waiting for you.

"I love you today, I love you tomorrow, I love you forever."

He has since been remembered by his fellow pupils with sunflower tree, on show to the community, at Trinity Church Christmas Tree Festival.

Campaigns

The parents of Lucas Dobson are each campaigning to improve the safety of children around water in their son's memory.

In the wake of the six year old's death last August, Lucas' dad Nathan Dobson set up The Lucas River Safety Campaign in collaboration with Pete Faulding, the chief executive of Specialist Group International - who led the team who recovered his son's body.

It aims to provide lifejackets and buoyancy aids, customised with Lucas’s picture printed on the fabrics, to school pupils across the UK for free.

The pair had also planned to give safety talks in schools ahead of the summer season, although these could not go ahead due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking previously Mr Dobson said: "We want to make it cool to wear a lifejacket, just like ski helmets, motorcycle helmets, bike helmets, seatbelts.

"These all save so many lives every year."

A family funday at Deal Welfare Club in October helped raised £9,000 helping the campaign to become an official charity.

The funds were added to the £5,000 already donated by community groups and members and further cash was raised from a water safety talk hosted by Mr Faulding at the Astor Theatre in January.

The charity status allowed Mr Dobson to set up a bank account and order the first batch of lifejackets and safety buoys and an official launch is expected once schools reopen.

Posting in June, he said: "The water safety campaign has been progressing during the lockdown period, we are just waiting for dates of schools r.e. opening so we can do a proper launch and start handing out the lifejackets.

"The warm weather is upon us again and safety round water is a must, please please take care and enjoy yourselves. Have a look at the new jackets in the pics and please share the post."

Lucas' mum Kirsty Furze is campaigning to introduce a new law in the her son's name.

Lucas' Law aims to make wearing life jackets on board a vessel mandatory. It would mimic legislation already in place in the likes of Ireland, Australia, USA and Canada.

She has launched a petition which has received more than 2,000 signatures and is also working with MP Natalie Elpicke to get it off the ground.

Writing on her public Facebook page 'Lucas’s Law In Loving Memory Of The Little Boy Who Lit Up The Coast 2019' in March, she said: "Lucas’ life mattered - his death should never have happened - his human rights have not been protected - our legal systems failed him - his death was preventable.

"We do not want Lucas to just become a statistic. We will continue to devote all of our efforts to Lucas’ Law to ensure that Lucas' death brings greater awareness to safety on the river, greater care and attention is taken when children are present and that buoyancy aids are always used.

"Our hearts ache at his loss. Our beautiful boy will be remembered and loved passionately every day."

Simon Brady who started the online petition on her behalf, has written: "As it stands there is no enforceable law regarding the wearing of life jackets or having enough personal floatation devices (PFDs) on board per passenger on any privately owned vessel regardless of its size.

"Lessons have been cruelly learned and we are about to embark on a campaign we are calling Lucas Law to make this mandatory.

"We strongly believe by doing so will change the mentality around water safety, just like the seat belt laws did when they were introduced for road safety."

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