Friends raising funds for the funeral of a teenager who was stabbed to death in Hinckley, have been amazed by people’s generosity.
Shantel D’arcy, 19, went to school with Josh and has set up a GoFundMe page to raise £3,000 to help his family pay for the funeral.
Just five days since it was first set up, more than £1,300 has already been raised as the people of the town pull together to help out Josh’s family.
Shantel, who lives in Earl Shilton, just outside Hinckley , said: “This sort of thing happening in Hinckley is just unheard of and I think it’s really affected everyone in the town.
“People from all over Hinckley had been donating, including a football club who held a charity match and donated us the money and the organisers of a quiz night who donated the prize money.
“A printing company has also offered to do free shirts for everyone going to Josh’s funeral and someone has also volunteered to pay the full price of a bench some of Josh’s other friends wanted to have in Richmond Park in the town.
“It makes me very happy that people have come together the way they have. I’m proud to live in the area.”
Shantel was one year above Josh at school but knew him well. She also saw him regularly in the town centre.
She said: “I work at a bar in Hinckley and so I saw him most weekends. He was always so funny but always so generous.
“If you were out with him in town and you were cold he’d offer you his coat and when he was out drinking you’d often see him dancing around like an idiot!
“I’ve known him for about eight years after going to Hinckley Academy with him and me and two of his other friends started the page to try to make things a bit less stressful for his family.”
The page, called Funeral Cost for the Legend Josh Taylor, has been set up by Shantel with Josh’s stepfather as the recipient of the money and Shantel has also spoken to Josh’s sister, Lucy, about the fundraising.
Shantel said: “I’ve talked to Lucy about what happened to Josh and she just finds it hard to understand why.
“They don’t know where or when the funeral is going to happen yet, but I’m just happy we’re able to do something because everyone in the community really wants to do something that will help.”
Can you help police?
People have been flocking to the spot where Josh was stabbed – in Sword Drive, Hinckley – to lay flowers.
Josh was stabbed in the early hours of Saturday, October 7.
A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged with murder and will remain in custody until his next court hearing, which is expected to be early next year.
To donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.
