Fundraiser launched for Joshua’s funeral
MORE than £11,000 has been donated to help the family of a man whose body was discovered in the water off Helensburgh at the weekend.
A major search operation was launched after Josh Gayton, a marine engineering technician in the Royal Navy, did not attend for work at HM Naval Base Clyde on Tuesday, April 16.
Land, sea and air searches were carried out by Police Scotland, the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence Police.
A body was found in the water close to the town at around 6.20pm on Sunday.
Police announced on Tuesday afternoon that formal identification had confirmed the body was Joshua’s.
The death is not being treated as suspicious.
Mr Gayton, whose mum, Katie, travelled to Helensburgh to help in the search, was originally from Evesham in Worcestershire.
Now, friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe appeal
to help Joshua’s family with funeral expenses.
The founder of the appeal, Jayne Buggin, said: “This is something that I didn’t think I would be writing, but the money we are funding for is a funeral.
“Let’s help Katie, his sister and family bring him home and give him the best that he deserves.
Jayne later added: “I have just heard from Katie; she is so amazed that so many people want to help her and Josh’s sister.
“We are so grateful to every person that has donated.”
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “The thoughts and sympathies of the Royal Navy go out to ET (ME) Joshua Gayton’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time and we would ask that their privacy is respected.”
The fund-raiser had exceeded its £2,500 target within hours of its launch on Monday.
As this edition of the Advertiser went to press on Wednesday the total donated had reached almost £11,800, with more than 900 individual donors making contributions, some of as much as £100.
Meanwhile, Police Scotland have confirmed that an internal inquiry has been opened after it emerged that Joshua was handed a fixed penalty ticket for urinating in public shortly after midnight on April 16.
The last sighting of the 21-year-old was outside the Riva restaurant in West Clyde Street, where he was seen speaking to a member of the public at around 12.25am that day.
The incident has been referred to Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department, which oversees disciplinary matters, complaints and the conduct of officers.
Chief Inspector Allan Dickson, Police Scotland’s area commander for Helensburgh, Lomond, Bute and Cowal, said: “Our thoughts remain with Josh’s family at what is a very difficult time for them and they have asked for privacy.
“We would like to thank everyone who responded to our appeal and to partner agencies who helped search for Josh after he was reported missing, including assistance from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and Ministry of Defence Police.”