£9k raised in memory of Bentley crash victim Ben Jacobs

47-year-old Ben Jacobs, from Rushmere, died following a crash in Bentley on Wednesday evening.

He was out cycling with friends Darren Cook, 48, Jason Taylor, 50, and Dave Solomon, 55, when the incident happened.

Mr Solomon was injured during the crash.

Steve Harding, who he had worked with Mr Jacobs since he was in his late teenage years started a fundraiser late on Friday afternoon.

Mr Jacobs was a loving father to three children, Thomas, Olivia and Holly, and a devoted husband of 25 years to Faye.

Ben Jacobs passed away shortly after a crash in Bentley involving two cyclists and a car. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

Mr Harding said: "I had seen him three or four times a week for the last 27 years and he was just a solid, fantastic and loyal person.

"When he didn't turn up for work it was not normal, so we called his phone and Faye answered and his life-long friend, Barry Perkins and I rushed to Addenbrooke's.

"We just couldn't believe that it was our friend lying in that situation in the hospital, he's such a fit person, he did the lot, ultra-marathons, long cycle challenges, he was a machine."

Ben Jacobs (left) with friend and colleague Barry Perkins (right) when they were younger, having been friends since teenage years. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

Mr Harding started the fundraiser to help the family cover costs that they were not expecting to have to make.

In just two days, the fundraiser has smashed the £2,500 target, and currently sits at £9,033, with donations flooding in constantly.

Mr Harding said: "It's incredible.

Mr Jacobs was a keen runner, cyclist and swimmer, and regularly took on challenges and was heavily involved with the Ipswich Parkrun. Credit: Contributed (Image: Contributed)

"It just shows the extent of people's love for Ben.

"We are so grateful for all the support from the Ipswich Parkrun and the whole running and cycling community."

Mr Jacobs was heavily involved with Ipswich Parkrun as one of the race directors.

A minute's applause was held the morning of Saturday's Parkrun to honour him.

In an online tribute, the Ipswich Park Run team, wrote: "Words cannot express how devastated and upset we are to share this terrible news with all our friends and colleagues within the Ipswich parkrun community, across parkrun in Suffolk and beyond. First and foremost Ben was a friend to us all. He was a family man, a gentleman, kind and considerate. He made time for everyone.

"He was dedicated and arrived at Chantry most weeks by 7:30/7.45am to help setup, and often he would carry out our mandatory course safety check (something he’d done 91 times), before doing another 5k lap at 9am.

"He would either run with Fizz, his friends, go solo or help his family round and completed 324 parkruns in total since his first, which was on 8th March 2014. He achieved a parkrun PB of 17:46 at Kesgrave parkrun on 11th August 2018.

"He was a truly valued member of our core team since 2018, becoming an accomplished Run Director, and had volunteered at 211 parkrun events over a period of 9 years, including at Ipswich juniors (whilst supporting his children). He was also a well-loved member of the Felixstowe Road Runners and many FRRs attend our event, and he was regularly seen racing in their distinctive red and white colours.

"We will miss Ben terribly and at the moment everything is so raw. Ipswich parkrun will continue on Saturday but it will be understandably muted as Ben was a well known and admired man amongst this community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Ben’s family."

A minutes applause was held before the Ipswich Parkrun on Saturday, as well as cones laid out to spell his name with a love heart. Credit: Steve Harding (Image: Steve Harding)

Mr Harding continued: "My wife and I had never done a parkrun before, but we went and the love and emotion for Ben today was incredible."

To donate to help the family, click here.