The passing of our dear friend Darren Linton has affected his friends deeply.

We found out about his death after his funeral had already happened, we have since got together to fulfil his wishes to be buried with his grandparents.

Darren's life changed in 1994 when his grandmother Shirley Leach was brutally murdered as she made her way home from visiting her daughter Beryl with Darren in Bury. Darren was 19 years of age, this tragic event and the 12 years of waiting for someone to be prosecuted devastated this small close knit family.

Darren would often be fine and enjoy good times with friends, other times he would be affected by depression. We understand that it was hard for him to stay in touch with us, despite our efforts. He was a proud man and didn’t ever want to reach out and ask for support.

Darren was likeable, very quiet and down to earth. He loved music and socialising with friends. Darren was the kind of man who simply tried to get on with his life without making a fuss, he would often try to help others, as he did in 2001 when he gave up work to look after his mother who was diagnosed and later died of cancer

It's particularly important for us as his friends to honour Darren’s wishes by having his ashes buried with his beloved grandparents.

We have come together to show how loved and how missed Darren is. Together we'd now like to raise some money for a service for the interment of his ashes. All funds will be used for:

-Internment fee
-Flowers
-Plaque
-Burial urn
-Chapel

Any donation will be gratefully received and will help us enormously in our target.

Big thanks to Dave Thomas and Naomi Turner for the wonderful effort you went to in getting the ashes released - without you both we wouldn't be able to do anything.

Thanks to Daniel Noakes, Jack Shuttle worth, Noel Dunne and Debbie Southworth and John Kenny.