As most of you know I tried raising funds a while ago for my dads ashes to be buried in Ashover, but it didn’t work out. I’ve decided to give it another shot since I’m in a better place now and able to make more arrangements to raise the funds.

- dads chirpy and proud remark upon seeing the churchyard when we moved to Ashover in 2005.

Merv passed away 3rd December 2016, his only request was to be buried in Ashover. Due to lack of money this wasn’t a possibility, so the council paid for a cremation. He was amazing person, generous, caring and a talented guitarist who played weekly to entertain his fellow pub goers. He took me and his baby granddaughter in when we had no where else to go, he raised her as his own and looked after me during my illness.

I’m determined to fulfil his last wish and buy him a burial plot in the garden of rest. £500 would cover the cost of the plot, burial, casket, flowers. If this is reached yet more donations come in then the extra will go towards a gravestone plaque for his spot.

Edit: for those asking about what happened to the money raised shortly after dad passed away, it wasn’t me who raised it. Two women arranged it at the pub one of them was running at the time (under new management now) to donate it to the hospital ward he was on, I asked them if they’d be willing to spare some of that to go towards to burial, they refused. I’ve been in contact with the hospital cashier since then, last update April this year, and they never arrange the meeting nor did they donate. They have been reported to Action Fraud.

- dad would say this after a loud cough. We’ve all heard that one!

I will also be planning a bake sale (hopefully in his favourite pub) at some point, all funds raised will be added to this. Any other fund raising ideas would be great! Dates & details of these events will be added publicly to my Facebook page (Jacoby Louie Crane)

- the usual debate after 7 pints of John Smiths

Anything you donate would be greatly appreciated, I’ll keep this page open for as long as it lets me (or until the goal is reached). Even just sharing could help a lot.

- dads way of wishing me goodnight from when I was a child right up until he passed.

Thank you 🙏