Cam Jones's progress - RIP

[Foxzee]

If anyone wishes to visit Cam at home please PM me and I'll give address details..sorry forgot to add this to above post!

[Duke girl]

Condolences to Cams Family, Friends and The Racing scene on both the Sth & Nth lslands on the loss of such a well loved and respected guy Cameron Jones.
#26 will live in the hearts of many and may your rides continue on above forever.
RIP Cam.
You truely will be missed.

[jellywrestler]

Hey folks
I was talking to Dee Wintle tonight and she mentioned that the family are still welcoming visitors to their home in ChurChur to visit both them and Cam until 3 PM tommorow.
Don't be nervous, they've had the worst 26 days pass them now it's time for a few smiles and endless cups of tea, and for those from out of town there's probably some liquefaction to shovel somewhere around the place!
Rather than broadcast the address on here just PM if you feel like you want to pay a visit.

thanks folks
Spyda

[Foxzee]

Hey folks
I was talking to Dee Wintle tonight and she mentioned that the family are still welcoming visitors to their home in ChurChur to visit both them and Cam until 3 PM tommorow.
Don't be nervous, they've had the worst 26 dyas pass them now it's time for a few smiles and endless cups of tea, and for those from out of town there's probably some liquefaction to shovel somewhere around the place!
Rather than broadcast the address on here just PM if you feel like you want to pay a visit.

thanks folks
Spyda

You just have the best way with words Syda...

Aka Dee

[Foxzee]

Latest from the family: Please note the time change of visiting Cam we originally (post above) said 3pm today however the family has said up until the time Cam leaves the house is okay - my apologies this was a me stuff up!

Hi from the Jones family. Cam has been home since Saturday in his room. His room has always been super tidy and a real youngsters "cave" of his passions and interest. So it is lovely. We've had so many people visiting and spending time in the room, writing in the diary, putting 26's on his casket, writing little memories on them. Beautiful, and helping to heal us all. He will leave tommorrow at 9.50 am (through the window!!!) so if you wish to visit, even if it's the 10th time, then please come along. You may wish to help us as we take him out and away to the hearse. Another special moment you can share with us. We're aware so many people are coming to Christchurch from far away for Cam's funeral tomorrow. Please, if you are coming from outside Christchurch, don't hesitate to visit us at any time during your stay, including after the funeral. And we might add, after the funeral we will be coming directly back to our home in Highsted Rd and invite you all to join us here, especially again the ones from far away. All our love and thanks for your overwhelming support. We will all heal together. But of course we will NEVER forget that cheeky little man.....

[Dutchee]

Foxzee, thank you for all the updates, and thank the family as well.
Best wishes for tomorrow to all attending (I figured out at the end of a friend's funeral last year they had tissues, which I'd forgotten to take along, wish I'd spotted them earlier, but did think my mate would've been laughing at me, just for a change) - so if you forget your tissues, look down the back of the chapel.

[k14]

I still can't find the words to describe how gutted I am for Cam and his family. He was an awesome guy and I really enjoyed racing with him. My thoughts are with everyone this afternoon for his funeral, sorry I couldn't make it. Rest in peace buddy.

[feral1]

Well said Kirk. Feel the same way. Really feel for the family today. Eric

[Foxzee]

Update from Patrick (Cam's Bro)

this is the transcript of dads eulogy for cameron.

Cameron Peter Jones (Cam) 26 Dec 1992 – 10 Feb 2012
Around nineteen years ago the Jones family were at a family wedding in Palmerston North.
Felicity, Peter, Dominic, Patrick and Richard made a busy little family, busy enough they thought, but while at this wedding Felicity told Peter of this feeling a little surprise was in store.
Yes, that ...soon became the family Christmas present for 1992, arriving on the 26th. A day late? We were later to learn little Cameron Peter had a saying “what’s the rush”. The family lived in a big old house surrounded by ancient forest in Otatara, near Invercargill. Such an idyllic setting. Cameron was born at home and proudly declared his birthplace as Otatara.
His younger years were ones of chasing older brothers, through the forest, on the beaches, lakes and mountains of his surrounds. Otatara kindy and primary school were vibrant places to make lifelong friends. He was loved and fussed over by Granny, Nana and Gaga, plus local adopted uncles and aunts, Jenni and Paul Nixon. A little trip away to town with Diggy turned into afternoon tea, dinner, tucked into bed and finally returned a day later. This wonderful community of warm, strong and honest families formed Cameron amongst the easy going roads linking friends, shared by people, cars bikes and horses. For a young boy, paradise it was.

He travelled often, Australia, Fiji, and all over New Zealand. His eyes were bright and he absorbed it all. He understood people and how to make their eyes bright too.
Motorbikes seemed to be about the place quite a bit, his older brothers keen to ride Oreti beach on old bikes scavenged from the dump. On the back with dad, then later on his own little bike, the 1 hour ride to Riverton for an icecream was a great idea! While the older boys got keen on racing, Cameron actually wasn’t really interested in bikes. Soccer, running, netball, athletics and skiing were better.
One day he saw a minimoto bike while visiting Teretonga race track with his brothers. So at around 10 years old, complete with baggy leathers he did a couple of laps reaching amazing speeds as high as 20 kilometers per hour.
A year or two later, the family moved on to Christchurch, where he attended Casebrook Intermediate.
Wonderful friendships made in Otatara remain today. As he left Otatara he asked “can I have a going away party”. Of course. A day later, while looking down at his feet another question “ can I ask some girls” Of course. A wonderful party, the girls outnumbering the boys, and plenty more turning up uninvited. Cam had always attracted a wonderful group of friends, adoring girls in particular seeming abundant!
Once in Christchurch he revelled in all school sports, and as he progressed through Papanui High School focused on Outdoor Education.
Aged 12 he hadn’t forgotton his minimoto bike experience so he starting racing at the Moorhouse Ave track on Monday nights. From there he joined his big brothers in the circuit racing, starting his training on a Yamaha TZR 50.
His racing interest gained momentum when he had a busy year in Streetstock, a junior form of road racing. Collecting many trophies, and towards the year end breaking the Ruapuna lap record he graduated to 125GP at a very young 13 years old. A few club meetings then straight into a National Championship, he developed quickly. A year later he was to challenge for the New Zealand championship a week or two after turning 15. He won 9 races, the other 6 in the top four to convincingly win the New Zealand title and the prestigious Grand Prix. He also won the award “New Zealand’s most promising newcomer to Road Racing” and remains the youngest rider to win a New Zealand road racing title.

He didn’t just ride at the highest level of competition, but had a great passion to ride smaller bucket racers, classic bikes and anything with two wheels and a motor. He rode for shear enjoyment on the track, and the friendships amongst riders, officials and supporters off track. When not riding, he’d be there flag marshalling or coaching. This was truly Cam’s “Happy Place”.
Subsequent championships, one on a 125gp and two in the much tougher 600 Sports production were plagued with problems, mostly out of his control. But those who watched Cameron closely could see he was riding well, and constantly improving. The third, and recent 600 Sports Production championship was well prepared for by Cameron. He had worked and trained hard all year, his aim to produce a good steady championship result with the small resources he had. A good start at Ruapuna, then at Levels, just when everything seeming in order, lightning struck. Hard, very hard.
Cameron wasn’t just about bikes. He enjoyed people, socialising freely and making friends easily with a witty, confident and respectful manner. Academically he achieved highly, but his main interest was sport and the outdoors. In his final year at school he had some challenging tramping adventures in the alpine areas.
Throughout his teenage years he loved soccer , plus a lot of cycling, mountainbiking and running. He maintained superb level of fitness. Last year, after a bit of a rotten racing championship, he set a new goal. “I’m going to run the marathon” he said. No, not the half, but the full 42km. Detailed as ever, he worked out his training. 3 runs of 14km per week. Just pick a pace to make sure he’s not too puffed. So on the day just do them all one after the other. Simple!
He did 33km and had to stop. He was gutted, but was firmly reminded that this was a tremendous result. Cam had high goals and even higher determination
This recent year was his first out of school, employed by a motorcycle accessory wholesaler. Heaven for Cameron! His school era employment at MacDonalds taught him many good skills, then he applied that to gain great respect in his first year at Darbi Accessories. He was certainly dedicated. In the big snowfall that brought Christchurch to a standstill last year, he set off to work 20 minutes earlier than usual to cope with the conditions. The road camber and slippery condition caused him to nearly fall off his bicycle several times. After riding nearly right across the city, a few minutes from work he got the phone call to say “no work today”

At home he was a talented and capable person in the workshop. Paint, fiberglass, making parts, taking bikes apart, then back together. Tyres, car repairs, graphics working metals were all capabilities Cam had. Most importantly, he was patient, thorough, tidy and took pride in his work.
Thoughout the 6 years or racing, Cam was supported by his family. Dominic helped with bike preparation and mentoring. Dennis Charlett and Steve Ward contributed a huge amount also. And Mum and dad? Well, simply, the support, the bacon and egg pie and the cash. Just like any normal parents. So when Cam had his first full time year of work he was determined to not only pay fair board, but to buy the GSXR 600 and the bucket his parents had funded for him. On top of that club season racing costs, buying and running a van and tackling the massive costs of new riding gear and championship costs. And he achieved all that. Rather remarkable for an 18 year old.

The hard bit.
On Sunday 15th Jan, Cam prepared for the “scrub in” session for his Championship races in the afternoon. The tyres on the bike were already scrubbed from the qualifying session previously, so the bike would be ready to go and comfortable. The bike he’d ridden for 3 years would be just warmed up and ready for him to settle into his race programme.
Something went wrong, at 9.50 he left for Timaru Hospital in the ambulance with Mum. Dad following in the car. From there to Christchurch ICU with diagnosed severe head and spinal injuries.
The next 26 days are ones of steps forward, steps backward. The odds remained tough. About 16 days later he regains some remarkable consciousness. Stunning us all, we are thrilled to see recognition, response, and able to understand words. What a breakthrough. Does this mean he will get better? No one knows, but things are still tough as he cannot breathe unassisted. Around day 20 we see declining response, by 24 it’s confirmed Cam will pass away. The continuous trail of loving friends and family wishing him to get better now visited him to give messages of farewell.

Cam has many, many young people who have great respect and affection for him. One such person came in early on Friday morning to be with him. She sat with him for an hour or two before leaving to go off to work. As Felicity walked her to work, Peter was with Cameron when he calmly and quickly passed away in his arms. His father’s wish to embrace him as he passed was fulfilled.
This was day 26
Cameron Jones, forever a beautiful young man, not an unkind word to say, not a thought that doesn’t think of how to bring happiness to others.
There is not the tiniest doubt about Cameron’s wishes as he passed away. He want’s us to support each other, so we heal, and turn sorrow into joy. Joy in the knowledge he is at peace. Joy in reflection of the wonderful times we had together. His life was short, too short, but we are all the richer for his gift of 19 years. His time with us is truly a blessing.
Thank you Cameron, you will be forever loved, forever remembered, forever missed. Be at peace

[Kickaha]

I first met Cam about 10 years ago, when Dominic started racing 125's.

A group of us used to impose on the Jones Family en mass every time there was a big meeting at Teratonga.

A couple of times my girlfriend came with us, and Cam willingly gave up his bed to her so that she did't have to sleep on the crowded floor in the upstairs lounge.

That would have been about 2000-01 when we went down with the Fiddler, Cam Horgan, Ropehead, Gambler? and Phil, Cam was probably about 7 then and Peter and Felicity very understanding and generous hosts

I last spoke with Cam just before Christmas when in a random encounter he was walking past work and saw me and ventured in to say hello and chat for a bit about the coming Nationals
Time before that I saw him sliding down the track on his arse after making it about 20 metres onto the track for the BOB and dumping it right in front of me on the warmup lap

Pete and Felicity raised one heck of a Family, and have my sincere sympathy at this time, as do his Brothers.

That they did

Update from Patrick (Cam's Bro)

this is the transcript of dads eulogy for cameron.

I had a few tears in my eyes when that was being read out, it was a good send off for him and well attended and however hard it was for myself and the others it's nothing compared to what the family has been through

[puddytat]

Thinking of you all at MCC,& especially the family & friends of such a fine young man.

[jellywrestler]

The funeral went well Neil Ritchie ran the whole show even got in an advert for Jock Woodleys RG250 race bike too. ($5k BTW)
Coolest moment was a young lady Cam had obviously been woo-ing who so bravely got up and spoke of him and an outing where he took her out to dinner "at the food court"...
Biggest question after it; how did their Family dog end up with a name Porsche in a family so Motorcycling orientated????


And for all those who've posted on here, Peter and family may have not posted anything over the time but they watched every single word said here; and Peter knew how many people had viewed the thread too so thanks for that folks, it was and still is a valuable component of Cams life and his journey since his crash.

[willytheekid]

One of the most moving threads I have read on here. (I didnt know cam, but Im sitting here leaking from my eyes)
My sincere condolences to Cams Family and his many many friends

Ride In Paradise cam

[budda]

So right Spyda - the service was a fitting tribute to a fine young man, bet he never knew he'd affected so many people in his way too short life ....... and every single one of the younger generation there did themselves and Cam proud - eloquent and heartfelt tributes from his non-motorcycling mates showed he was the same Cam away from the bikes too

Pete, Felicity, Dom, Patch, Richard - thanks so much for sharing Cam with us