Tributes to rail line death teen

Josh Dugdale (19) died after being hit by a train on June 17th.

He had volunteered at the Fraser Street Project in Rakehead all of last summer while between jobs.

And this week £930 was donated to the project in his name after a collection was held at his funeral on June 28th.

Josh’s family insisted that some of the money raised should go towards funding a day out for children at the centre.

Frances Monk, one of the project’s leaders, says they are tentatively planning a trip to the Sea Life aquarium in Blackpool or to Blue Planet in Cheshire.

“I would just like to thank Josh’s family and friends,” she said.

“He was always smiling and happy and helpful. He just brought a really good feel to the centre. He was a lovely lad and it was an absolute shock.

“His family has turned this round and got something good out of it.

“We depend on donations so it is just so massive.”

The youth club was set up - albeit under a different name - by Burnley mums Frances Monk and Amanda Chapman 13 years ago. At Fraser Street Project the pair aim to provide a safe environment for children to enjoy a different array of activities.

Frances Monk was overwhelmed by the response of Josh’s family and friends and felt it was a fitting tribute to a “lovely lad”.

“I’ve never seen so many people at a funeral. We had to stand up because there wasn’t enough room,” she said.

“It was nice for his family to see how respected and loved he was by his friends.”

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