A final farewell to tragic Owen
Funeral of popular teen will take place on Thursday
Family and friends of a muchloved teenager who passed away near his high school will say their final goodbyes at his funeral on Thursday.
An emotional farewell will be paid to popular Owen MacDonald, 16, will be held at Woodside Crematorium, in Broomlands Street, Paisley.
It follows a balloon release over the weekend in Erskine, where scores of classmates joined Owen’s heartbroken family to pay tribute to the teenager.
Owen’s body was discovered in on a grassy area near Park Mains High School, in the early hours of Sunday, April 30.
Police confirmed afterwards that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Afterwards the local community rallied round his family, fundraising an incredible £11,000 in days to help pay for a fitting send- off for Owen.
Photographer Leanne Reid, from Erskine, captured the balloon release near Lamont Farm on Saturday night before sharing the photos on community sites for those who were touched by the loss.
She said: “What a beautiful night it was to come together and show our support for his family and friends, thank you again to all involved in organising the release.
“I shot these images with permission of one of Owen’s family as a memory that will remain of a beautiful evening in remembering and paying tribute to him.”
Supporters of the JustGiving page heaped praise on Owen’s “brave” friends who were involved in the fundraising and balloon release.
Owen’s aunt, Angela Wilkes Borland, wrote: “We are overwhelmed by this and so proud of Owen’s school friends and want to thank each and every single person for their kindness.
“It’s truly inspirational. Owen’s auntie Angela.”
Jennifer Calcott added: “Well done guys, you have done amazingly well.
“I know you are all still in shock and struggling to make sense of it all.
“Yet you are doing your best to keep going with the exams, and you have made a huge difference and warmed all our hearts at this heart breaking time.
“We are all so incredibly proud of you all and we are all here for you during this.”
And Fiona Fairbairn said: “Great to see the courage and support shown by Owen’s friends at this incredibly difficult time.
“Our year-group at PMHS also sadly lost a few pupils under varying circumstances and I remember how difficult a time it was in school, moreso for their closest friends.
“I hope you can all find strength in each other, and that the support from the community is of some comfort to both you and his family. Thinking of everyone who knew him.”
The funeral service starts at 3pm on Thursday.