A WREXHAM family whose son died suddenly in his sleep have raised a small fortune for the children’s hospice that helped to support them after his death.

Evan Williams, who went to Ysgol Clywedog, died five years ago of a respiratory gene defect, just weeks before he turned 13.

As this year would have seen him turn 18, his family decided to throw an party in his memory to thank Hope House Hospice for their help.

Evan’s sister Katie and four school friends also undertook a sponsored walk – climbing Moel Famau twice on what was one of the hottest days of the year.

Thanks to these fundraising events, the tribute fund stands at just shy of £19,000.

Mum Jane said: “Evan had no illness at all. He was fit and healthy and he simply went to bed and died in his sleep. I found him when I went to wake him in the morning. It was a huge shock for us all.

“The doctor referred us to Hope House for bereavement counselling and I can honestly say if we hadn’t had them I don’t know what we would have done.”

“The party was Katie’s idea and it just grew and grew from there. The actual party was in August, but friends and family all came forward to help and to arrange lots of other events too from cake sales to dress down days.”

Evan’s dad Pete has also appreciated the help that hospice provided.

“Evan, like Katie, was my world. We had just finished doing up a trail bike together and the day before he died Evan had just got a helmet so he could ride it,” said Pete.

“He had a wonderful sense of humour and was funny, loving and compassionate. I remember when he was younger and a family member was in hospital, I gave him the choice of a day at the beach or visiting them and he chose to go to the hospital because that was the way he was.

“The support we all received was phenomenal, through some very difficult times. Katie particularly has received some brilliant help and support and to see her able to stand up in front of 300 people at Evan’s party and sing was just the best thing.”

As well as raising funds to enable the hospice to support other families whose child has died, the Williams family have provided outdoor classrooms for Evan’s former schools Bwlchgwyn Primary School and Ysgol Clywedog in his memory.

Jane is now planning a skydive next year and the whole family is volunteering to help at forthcoming fundraising events.

“Evan died so young, but we were so proud of him and so was everyone else who knew him. We really wanted to say thank you to Hope House because I don’t know what we would have done without them,” she added.

“Having an online tribute fund where we can see how much money we have raised and leave messages and post photos and light candles helps to keep his memory alive and is really comforting too.”

All the money raised was added to an online tribute fund that Jane set up to raise money for Hope House. The total now stands at almost £19,000, which has all been used to help support other families suffering the loss of their child.

To donate to the tribute fund, head to evan-williams.muchloved.com