AN EMOTIONAL tribute has been paid to a boy killed in a hit and run car crash on what would have been his 18th birthday.

Family and friends of Sean Hamilton took part in a game of rugby league at York Acorn, in Thanet Road, and held a day of commemorations for the tragic ten-year-old.

Sean was killed by a hit and run van driver in Holgate Road as he returned from the cinema in October 2009.

His family set out to remember him on what would have been a milestone day.

As well as the game, the family organised a bouncy castle, face-painter, glitter tattoos, raffle and cake stall for families to enjoy.

Stephanie Hamilton, Sean’s sister, said: “The day was absolutely brilliant.

“We raised £500 for York Acorn which will go towards their new kit and equipment for the players.

“Seeing everybody back together again was overwhelming, but it was nice to see everyone.”

The family visited Sean’s grave on Monday, when he would have turned 18, and left cards balloons, banners and a cake next to his headstone.

Stephanie added: “We go down as often as we can and it was really emotional.

“You are supposed to be having your first legal drink on your 18th birthday, not buried six feet under.

“It was heart breaking to go there, especially seeing the pain on my parents’ faces.

“Every day is tough without him and we all go to sleep thinking we will wake up and this will all be a bad dream, but that’s not the reality.

“It doesn’t get any easier but you learn to cope with the pain.”

The Press is running a campaign calling for the Government to rewrite sentencing guidelines for dangerous drivers.

We believe reckless drivers responsible for killing or inflicting life-changing injuries should not be punished lightly and we want those guidelines to change to give victims and families a sense of justice.

The Road To Justice was launched last month and has already received huge support from MPs, senior police officers and local authorities.

Visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/156369 to sign a petition calling for dangerous drivers to be sentenced for longer.