Hi, my name is Julia.

I have a little brother called Sean. Just after turning 16, Sean tragically passed away in a drowning accident while playing with a friend. He was incredibly sweet, smart, and full of life. His loss has left a huge hole in our family. We’ve always been very close, and losing Sean felt like losing a part of ourselves.

His passing also deeply affected his friends and the wider community. A few days after his funeral, we were moved to discover a message painted beneath our town’s bridge that read “Requiescat in pace Sean” which is Latin for “Rest in peace, Sean.” We don’t know who created it, but it touched us deeply. It showed just how much of an impact Sean had on others, even beyond our family.

At first, we assumed it would be removed quickly. But soon days turned into weeks, and then two years passed. That message became a quiet but powerful presence in our lives and for many others who knew Sean. Knowing it would eventually be taken down, we contacted the council to ask if there was any way we could preserve it or create something permanent in its place.

As Sean’s birthday and the three-year anniversary of his passing approach, we wanted to do something meaningful and something he would have loved. After speaking with the council, Network Rail (who owns the bridge), and several local artists, we’ve come together to create a brand-new mural. One that not only honours Sean’s memory but also celebrates life, joy, and community in Maidenhead, so that it can uplift everyone who passes by.

We’ve chosen an incredible artist, Shauna Anseo (https://www.instagram.com/shauna.anseo/), to bring this vision to life. She’s generously offered us a significant discount and is helping us involve the community in the painting process. We hope this mural can be a lasting tribute to Sean, and a reminder of the joy he brought to everyone who knew him.

To make this happen, we’ve launched a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of the mural, which includes materials, a scaffold tower, anti-graffiti coating and artist fees. Any contribution, big or small, would mean the world to us. Not just to keep Sean’s memory alive, but to bring something beautiful to the town he grew up in.

Thank you so much for reading and for your support.

With love,

Julia and family