It breaks my heart to write that my beautiful son Joshua passed away on Saturday, 12 September 2026.

When I first started this fundraiser, the hope was to give Joshua as many experiences and happy memories as possible after he was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma, a very rare cancer with no cure.

We hoped we would have more time.

Sadly, we didn't.

Joshua wasn't just my son. He was my best friend, a part of me, and I miss him with all my heart.

Joshua was just 20 years old. He was kind, caring, funny and completely unique. He had an old soul and always seemed to think about everyone else before himself.

He had Asperger's and had faced challenges throughout his life, but he never let those challenges define him. He worked hard to prove what he was capable of and, before becoming ill, was studying a Level 2 engineering course at college. His plan was to complete Level 3, go to university and build a career in engineering.

He had so many plans for his future.

Joshua loved cooking, gardening and being surrounded by nature. He had a huge love for Japan and China and dreamed of travelling to Japan. He and his best friend Morgan had planned trips and adventures together, including a road trip.

Morgan now hopes to complete as many of those planned trips as possible in Joshua's memory. It won't be the journey they imagined taking together, but Joshua will be with him every step of the way.

Joshua was incredibly brave throughout his illness.

Even when things were at their hardest, he tried to stay positive. He still found ways to make the hospital staff laugh and bring some happiness to the people around him.

And even while he was the one in hospital, his biggest worry was me.

He worried about whether I was OK rather than thinking about himself. That tells you everything you need to know about the kind of young man Joshua was.

He had that same caring nature at home. For the past two Christmases, Joshua cooked Christmas dinner because he wanted to take care of me.

That was Joshua. Kind, caring and always thinking about the people he loved.

During his illness, the donations to this fundraiser allowed me to give him things that brought him some happiness. I bought him a laptop, earbuds and the expensive aftershave he had always wanted.

They may sound like simple things, but being able to give Joshua things he wanted during such a frightening time meant more to me than I can explain.

He deserved every bit of happiness we could give him.

He was so brave, and I am so proud to be his mum.

The purpose of this fundraiser has now changed.

The funds raised will help us give Joshua a funeral and celebration of life that truly reflects the person he was and how deeply he was loved.

Joshua's coffin will be made from bamboo, with wooden hearts carrying personal messages from the people who loved him.

So many people want to come and say goodbye that we've had to move the gathering after his funeral to a larger venue because my home simply isn't big enough.

That alone shows how many lives Joshua touched and how many people loved him.

We are also planning a combined Halloween, Christmas and birthday celebration in his memory.

Joshua loved Halloween, especially dressing up and trick-or-treating. He loved Christmas and decorating the tree. These were the moments that made him happy, and we want his celebration to be filled with those memories.

This isn't the way any of us imagined celebrating those days with Joshua.

But we want to give him a goodbye that feels like him.

Full of the people he loved. Full of laughter. Full of stories and memories. And, most importantly, full of love.

Any further donations will help towards Joshua's funeral, celebration of life and the costs his family now faces following his passing.

To every person who donated when we were fighting to give Joshua more experiences, thank you. You helped me bring some happiness and comfort into my son's life when he needed it most.

To everyone who shared his story, sent messages or kept Joshua in their thoughts, thank you.

The world will be a sadder place without Joshua in it.

He really was unique in every way. A kind and caring young man with an old soul who could make people laugh even when he was going through the hardest time of his life.

He will be missed by so many people who loved him.

I would give anything to have more time with him. Now, I just want to give my beautiful boy the goodbye he deserves and make sure everyone who loved him has the chance to celebrate the wonderful person he was.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you can't, please consider sharing Joshua's story.

Joshua, you weren't just my son. You were my best friend and a part of me. I love you, I miss you, and I will carry you with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for helping us celebrate Joshua.

Janice & Molly xx