THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised in memory of an 18-year-old who tragically took his own life.

A series of fund-raisers are taking place to commemorate Josh Llwyd-Hopcroft, who was found dead on St David’s Day last year near his family home in Llanfair. His father, Dion, recently undertook an epic walk in grim conditions to raise money for a new mental health venture.

Dion is a team leader for Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team and, heartbreakingly, he was the one to first discover his son’s body on 1 March 2016.

The stoic family have subsequently decided to raise money to fund Josh’s Tree House Project to help other troubled youngsters in the area.

Josh’s parents Sue and Dion, plan to erect a cabin that will be used for private counselling sessions, group talks, bereavement sessions and, crucially, educational talks about suicide prevention. They also hope to create a memorial garden in memory of Josh.

Dion earlier this month walked solidly for 24 hours along the Wales Coastal Path, marching 50 miles through wind and rain.

Starting in Llanfair, Dion and a rotating army of supporters and well-wishers walked up to Hafan y Môr in Pwllheli before returning back home, raising well over £2,000 for Josh’s Tree House.

In a bid to raise further funds, tomorrow night (Saturday) a special ‘Day of the Dead’ party will be held in memory of Josh Llwyd-Hopcroft at the Ysgethin Inn, Talybont.

All are welcome.

Read the full story in this week’s north editions of the Cambrian News