By Ralph Barnett

THE PARENTS of a young driver killed in a road accident near Arbroath on Thursday yesterday paid tribute to a “caring and compassionate” son who devoted his time to helping others.

Greg Parsons (25) died when the Peugeot 205 he was driving collided with an Angus Council refuse lorry on the Arbroath to Auchmithie road.

Mr Parsons, who lived with his family at the Windmill Christian Centre in Millgate Loan, Arbroath, was a qualified IT technician but had decided to retrain as a counsellor after a gap year working with disadvantaged children in Africa.

Originally from Dundee, Mr Parsons was educated at Clepington Primary School and Morgan Academy before his family moved to Arbroath to set up the Christian centre in the former Windmill Hotel.

He studied computing at Abertay University in Dundee but took a gap year to work on the charity hospital ship Anastasis, which provided medical aid to impoverished people in refugee camps in Sierra Leone and Togo.

After his experiences abroad, he decided to study counselling and theology at the London School of Theology and was back in Arbroath for the Christmas holidays.

His parents Doug and Dorothy yesterday paid tribute to their son and the work he did with young people.

In a statement, they said, “Although Greg worked in the computer department of the Anastasis, his love and care for children took him to refugee camps in Sierra Leone and Togo, where he was involved in helping children.

“It was during this time he decided to become a children’s counsellor which led him to London to gain a professional qualification and learn to share his love of the Lord Jesus Christ with them.

“Greg’s care and compassion for others led him to work with organisations such as Eagle Wings, the Attic Children’s Club and Firestarters, where he led youth group activities.

“His quiet and unassuming manner made him popular among children and youth groups where many regarded him as a friend and guide.”

His funeral will take place next Friday at Hillbank Church in Dundee.