AN appeal launched by a grieving sister to give her much loved brother the funeral he would have wanted has already passed its target of £4,000.

John Holden aged 30 from Illogan was found dead last Wednesday morning (September 2).

His family said he had struggled with his mental health for many years.

His sister Chanie said the two days following his death had been the hardest she had ever experienced.

She said the family had no money saved for a funeral but her brother had been very specific about what he wanted, and she intended to honour his wishes.

“These last two days have been the hardest ever experienced for a lot of people who loved John,” she said in a statement on the Go Fund Me page she set up. “Everything has happened so unexpectedly.

“He struggled with his mental health for so long and towards the end he hid his pain so well that no one who knew him expected this to happen.

“His passing has shocked and devastated everyone.

“John spoke once about the type of funeral he would have wanted, and our family want to honour his wishes.

“We have no money saved and ask that anyone who can help us to give John the send off he wanted and deserved to please consider donating towards this fund and if unable to do so, to please share.

Any money that is not needed to go towards his funeral shall be donated to the Cornish charity Man Down which helps men in crisis and Cornwall’s Cats Protection.

“None of us got to say goodbye to him and his funeral shall give everyone who loved him the opportunity to do so,” said Chanie.

The appeal has so far raised over £5,000 with one anonymous donor giving £500.

Mr Holden’s body was found beneath an over bridge on the A30 near Illogan at around 5.20am last Wednesday.

Cornwall and Devon Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

You can find the Crowdfunder here