Headstone help for tragic Matt's family

Matt Parkin (21), a doting dad to a 14-month-old daughter, was found dead in woods near his home in Thorpe Hesley last month, leaving his parents Ian and Janice devastated.

Family friend Vicky Howse is organising a “Party in the Park” event on Sunday, August 22 in support of Matt’s family.

Vicky said: “The family are short of money to pay for Matthew’s headstone. It’s like having to pay for a funeral all over again.

“So we thought we would organise a fundraiser and it will be a ‘Party in the Park’ event with stalls, a bouncy castle, a fire engine, a disco and lots of donations have been given to us from Kimberworth village towards a raffle.”

The Party in the Park even will be held from 1pm onwards at land off Lodge Lane, Thorpe Hesley.