THE heartbroken best friend of a young man who died suddenly aged 21 is appealing for help to give him the “send off he deserves”.

John Walsh (pictured), from Earlestown, died between Sunday night (January 11) and early Monday morning (January 12).

Now his friend Callum Brodie Scott, from Sutton Manor, has started a JustGiving page, with the aim of raising £2,500 for John’s funeral and wake.

Callum, 17, said: “I was so shocked when I found out that he had died and just decided I wanted to help give someone, who was like a brother to me, the send off he deserves.

“I’ve known John since we went in the YMCA and we were best mates – we did everything together.

“We used to go to Saints games together and I was even looking at getting tickets for us to go to the Magic Weekend in Newcastle when I found out what happened.

“With him dying so unexpectedly, me and his family just want to raise funds to help pay for the wake and funeral, because he’d want a decent send off. It’s been so horrible. I’ve been in shock since I heard, so this is something positive to focus on.”

The case has been referred to the coroner.

To donate to JustGiving page visit gofundme.com/e984r-funeral-for-john