A POIGNANT Hallowe’en fund-raiser to celebrate the life of an 18-year-old who committed suicide has been arranged by his family.

On Saturday, 28 October, a special ‘Day of the Dead’ party will be held in memory of Josh Llwyd-Hopcroft at the Ysgethin Inn, Talybont.

Josh took his own life in late February 2016, an act which shook the local community and took all that knew him by surprise.

Josh’s father Dion led the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team in the hunt to find the 18-year-old after he was reported missing.

Following a day-long search, Dion found his son near the family home in Llanfair in the early hours of St David’s Day.

Dion, Josh’s brother Sion and members of the team carried Josh’s body back to their home.

Although devastated, Josh’s family are organising a commemorative fundraiser for Josh and hope it will inspire troubled youngsters to speak out about their problems.

All the money from the night will go towards two causes; the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team and Josh’s Treehouse Project.

The Treehouse Project will be a non-profitable charity based in Llanfair.

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.

Josh’s family are looking forward to celebrating his life on what promises to be an emotional day.

Event organisers are looking for donations for the raffle/auction.

If you believe you can help, please email Keiron on [email protected]

See today’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News for the full story