Donate in memory of our dear friend Mark Craven!

Hello Everyone,

We are looking to raise funds for Marks Funeral and to give him and the family the send off that he would love and fully deserves.

Mark was full of life and anyone who knew him would agree that he was one of kind. Mark was a whirlwind of a man, always 100 mph and would light up not only a room but a whole town when he passed through. You couldn't get away with not meeting Mark if he came through your village, town or city. I think people will know what I mean when I say this.

Behind all the bravado, people who really knew Mark, knew how kind and loving he was. Mark adored his friends and family, even when times were tough, Mark would never be afraid to tell people how much he loved them and what they meant to him. (I was lucky enough to be one of these people).

20 years of constant phone calls from Mark (at least 6 a day), will be sorely missed. A hell of a storyteller, along with a few blags, Mark could sell sand to an Arab. He was never short of a story or in some cases, a Novel.

Mark loved to party and spent many a night with some of his best friends in Slinky, which in Marks words were ''some of best nights I've ever had''.

Mark made an impact on everyone he knew, far and wide. From his friends out in Wool, to family and friends in Southampton, he always loved to pop in and catch up with current affairs and ensure he wasn't missing the next party.

Mark dealt with his own struggles in many ways, however this never stopped him being the kind, loving man we will all miss and never forgot.

Its a funny life, when people are here, you take them for granted and find it hard to realise all of their best qualities, then when they are gone, everything becomes much clearer.

Me for one, took one of my best friends for granted at times, it was very easy to pick up on his faults, one of my biggest regrets. I can say now, that I will never have another person like Mark in my life and not a day has gone by where I haven't thought and spoke about this titan of a man. One void, that not only me but everyone who knew Mark, wont be able to fill.

Have a think when you read this, of a time together you and Mark spent together, try not to smile or laugh, its not possible. That's the impression he left on everyone, hear his loud, larger than life voice, that every single one of us have tried to recreate numerous times. The only man I know who couldn't talk quietly.

So today, I'm asking everyone to please donate what you can afford to help Chloe, Louis, Charlie and Annabella to be able to give Mark the most beautiful funeral and celebration of his wonderful life.

We thank everyone for the support and are looking forward to seeing you all on the special day and sharing great memories we all spent with our dear friend Mark.