Do something special to mark Joel's 21st - Mother of Tunisia terror attack victim calls for fundraiser
The Black Country mother who lost three members of her family in the Tunisia terror attack has called on people to do something special to mark what would have been her son's 21st birthday.
Family members, friends and people who didn't even know Joel Richards have already pledged to raise money in his memory.
His mother Suzy Richards, from Wednesbury, has launched the '21 for Joel appeal' which is calling on 21 people to raise funds in various different ways - but she has already admitted there may be a lot more people willing to do their bit.
It comes after the family launched the 'Smile for Joel' charity earlier this month, which was backed by David Cameron and will work with Victim Support to help other families who have experienced traumatic bereavement like they did.
Mrs Richards' son Joel, brother Adrian and father Patrick were killed in the terrorist attack last June. Her younger son Owen survived the attack.
Now she is determined to mark what would have been a special birthday for her son in style.
She said: "Joel would have been 21 in August so I have asked if there can be 21 events to raise money for Victim Support."
She has already been inundated with suggestions, from skydiving to horse riding.
A three peaks challenge has been organised while students from Walsall College have pledged to walk the length of Hadrian's Wall. The Worcester Wolves basketball team have also offered their support. Joel, a talented football referee, was a student at the city's university.
Mrs Richards said: "I have had offers come in from all over the Midlands. It is absolutely lovely all the different things that have come in, from friends and strangers. One of Joel's friends wants to run 21 miles.
"It can be anything, big or small from making a cake to jumping out of a plane."
Mrs Richards said she is indebted to the support Victim Support provided her and 16-year-old son Owen during the darkest days after the triple loss tore the family apart and was desperate to raise as much money as possible.
"Every penny that gets raised will help victim support and people who have been effected by murder and terrorism. Every event will raise money for them because they helped us so much," she said.
Anyone who wants to raise money is asked to email smileforjoel@aol.com
