Crowland teen Dilara's tribute for tragic Kevin

A student from Crowland has shown the goodness of her heart by raising more than £1,000 in memory of a man who died tragically in the town.

Dilara Greene (17), an aspiring actress and sixth-former at Spalding High Spalding, organised a gig at Ye Olde Bridge Inn, Crowland, on Friday to raise funds towards the funeral of Kevin Nix (46) who was a regular at the pub.

Mr Nix, of Spalding, was fatally injured after he was hit by a car in Common Drove, Crowland, on Sunday, June 24.

Dilara, originally from Essex, said: "We were having a family meal at the pub recently and a couple sat next to us.

"They were Mr Nix and his wife who started talking to us and we went on to the topic of music.

"Some friends who were with us said that I'd been on TV a few years ago, singing in front of 15,000 people.

"So Mr Nix asked me 'Why don't you start singing at the pub?' and so a Crowdfunding page was started in order for me my friend to sing at the pub."

Dilara, who was named Crowland Young Achiever of the Year in the 13s-18s category last week, paid tribute to Mr Nix for seeing in her "the ability to sing" which led to Friday's memorial gig being organised.

She said: "Everyone was in bits when they heard that Mr Nix had died because he was a big part of the pub's family.

"So I thought to myself: 'What can I do to support the positive things Mr Nix did as a tribute to his memory?"

"I organised a gig to make the pub happy again and it was wonderful.

"The pub was packed and there was such a warm atmosphere, with a truly community feel as people were dancing and singing along.

"It highlighted how Crowland can come together after such a traumatic event and by the end of the evening, over £1,000 had been raised towards Mr Nix's funeral.

"Of course, the Nix family didn't attend because his loss is still a fairly recent event.

"But I was told that they were very grateful for the gig and all the money will be donated towards his funeral."

Just a week before the Crowland Young Achievers Awards, organised by Crowland Parish Council and held at the town's South View Community Primary School, Dilara was finalist in the Contribution to the Community category at the 2018 Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards.

Dawn Bushell, head of sixth form at Spalding High School, said: "Dilara is an excellent sixth form student who exudes positivity in all she does.

"She takes part in theatre productions both inside and outside of school and has secured work experience over the summer at the Royal Opera House in London.

"Dilara also has several part-time jobs, including singing, and has raised money for various charities over the years.

"She is a role model to other students and her goal is to become an actress which I am sure she will achieve in the future."

Headmistress Michele Anderson said: "Dilara is a delightful young lady who contributes and makes a difference to the Spalding High School community; something that she also demonstrates in her life outside of school as well.

Headmistress Michele Anderson said: "Dilara is a delightful young lady who contributes and makes a difference to the Spalding High School community; something that she also demonstrates in her life outside of school as well.

"It was a pleasure to see this commitment recognised in both the Education Awards and by Crowland Parish Council."

. Alison Skingsly, of Thames Road, Spalding, who was charged in relation to Mr Nix's death, is due to appear at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, July 30.