Only 10 days after moving from Falmouth in Cornwall to Preston in Lancashire to study my masters degree, I received a phone call that I never dreamed I would get. My dear dad Michael Smith had passed away and was found dead in his flat aged 52, which we suspect was alone for 5 days until he was found.
The news left me in a total state of shock and an emotional pain that I've never felt in my life. The pain of losing a parent, but losing my dad at the age of 27 is something no daughter dreams of.
Two weeks on and the realisation of never being able to see or speak to my dad again has only now started to sink in. I don't think this pain will ever leave me its just learning how to accept it.
Currently 400 miles away from family and friends and trying to carry on as normal with my studies until we get a funeral date is proving quite difficult.
I am trying to raise money to cover all costs for my dads funeral. My dad leaves behind 5 children including myself and 4 brothers with the youngest only being 17.
None of us are in any financial situation to cover these costs, hence why I am writing my story to look for any help big or small so that we can all finally grieve together, say our final good byes and give our dad the send off he deserves and all gain some sort of closure. With this hanging over our heads we cant relax with the worry of money and how we plan to afford this is a daily struggle.
Its taken me 5 years since graduating in 2011 to get to preston and onto this course. I am also working 3 days a week part time to help fund myself for the year, plus all the travelling so far! Even the thought of petrol money to get me home and back is a concern and that should be the last of my worries out of everything, but I am willing to do anything possible to get back to cornwall for my dad.
My cousin recommended putting my story on here for a worthy cause. Any donation would be more than appreciated and finally get that closure we all need. Thank you so much