A fundraiser to help the family of 13-yearold Joshua O’Neill, the schoolboy who tragically passed away last month, has smashed its target by more than £1,000.

Joshua tragically died after being found unconscious on Sunday, September 17 within an Ardrossan property.

Matthew Lester, a second cousin of Joshua, set up a Just Giving page to try and raise £1,500 for the teen’s devastated parents.

The dad from Stevenston created the fundraiser so that Joshua’s close family don’t have to worry about paying bills at such a difficult time.

At the time the Herald went to print, the Just Giving page set up in the schoolboy’s memory had raised £2,505 and over 100 people had donated.

Matthew said: “There’s been a great support. It’s just to help in any way, to support that part of the family. It’s a really hard thing to go through. I’m a parent myself and I can’t imagine what it’s like.

“They’ve lost a child, they shouldn’t have to worry about paying bills and stuff. It’s to ease the burden for them.”

Visit https://www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpjoshuasfamily to donate.