Heartbreak as website for tributes to the dead features grossly inappropriate adverts

12 April 2012

The creator of a website which provides a platform for people to remember dead family and friends apologised today after online adverts upset users so much he felt "sick to the stomach".

Terry George's website www.gonetoosoon.co.uk (GTS) was bombarded with complaints after adverts started appearing at 2pm yesterday.

They included adverts for self defence classes on a tribute site for murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, adverts for the airline RyanAir on sites for dead boys and men called Ryan, an advert for a motorcycle on a tribute page for a man who died in a bike crash and adverts for baby products alongside tributes for babies who have died.

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The adverts appear to have been removed already, but this memorial for snooker player Paul Hunter had an advert for snooker cues next to it

Mr George said he introduced advertising in an effort to keep the popular website free for users.

The site currently hosts 9,000 memorials and averages three million hits per week, he said. He said its popularity meant administration kept two full-time staff members busy.

He said: "As the costs of maintaining the site are rising I have been looking at ways of creating revenue without charging our users for the site.

"At 2pm yesterday I introduced Google ads on to the site.

"What I did not realise is that somehow Google finds ads related to words used in the site."

Hundreds of people complained to the website after visiting tribute pages and finding the adverts.

Ally, from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, said: "I am absolutely disgusted. Talk about rubbing salt in open wounds.

"Some of us here are mums to angel babies in particular, some only having seen their babies grow wings a few days or weeks ago, only to be confronted by adverts for nappies, bibs and other baby merchandise."

Tracey, from Essex, said she was devastated when she visited the site set up in memory of her son Morgan and saw adverts from companies which shared his name.

"I have recently lost my three-year-old son in a tragic accident and this site was recommended to me," her message said.

"I was so pleased with my memorial in memory of my precious son and have many visitors using it daily, until today when all I can see is adverts splashed all over it.

"I fully understand that you need to make money to help run the site but surely there is some way this can be done without offending everyone on the website."

As soon as he became aware of the problem at 11.30pm yesterday, Mr George said he posted a response on to the site.

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Terry George has apologised profusely for the horrifying mistake

It reads: "Sorry, Sorry, Sorry.

"Thank you to everyone who has posted messages about the Google ad words on GTS.

"I will be meeting with my IT department first thing; to switch them off and re-think the idea of ads."

He added: "When creating the site I never expected it to be so popular and to play such an important part in so many people's lives.

"The last thing I want to do is cause offence or distress to any GTS users.

"There is a huge cost in running the site and I want the site to be free to use for everyone."

Two hours later, after trying in vain to get the adverts removed, he updated his website message saying: "I feel sick to the stomach after reading most of your comments. It was never meant to be like this.

"I have tried so hard to make this site work and work for free for so many vulnerable people.

"I feel so deflated. I feel I have let you down. I'm so sorry."

After Mr George posted his apology many of the site's users thanked him for listening to their complaints.

Andy said: "Why don't you ask us all for a small fee to cover the cost of our site.

"You have created an excellent site for us, please don't trash it up with sleazy ads. There must be other alternatives."

Another user, Trevor, added: "Thank you Terry for taking note of people's distress and hurt at a time when they are raw and vulnerable to hurt.

"You have at least made a statement promptly and have done the right thing.

"I can't speak for everyone, and while I appreciate you wanting the site to be free, may I say that I would rather pay an annual or lifetime subscription in the same way that other sites do, than to see adverts of the kind we have experienced today."

Stuart from Leeds said: "Thanks for listening Terry.

"When I noticed that Ryan Air was advertising flights on my brother Ryan's site I just lost it. That is sick beyond words.

"As it is a site for lost loved ones that you have created this site, shouldn't the relatives have a say in what should be on their own sites."

However, not all the site's visitors were so understanding.

Jane Fort from Los Angeles said: "What person allows ads on their site without checking on the content?

"These ads are totally wrong and so inappropriate in every way!"

Mr George said he hopes to remove the adverts this morning.

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