Donations help cover Bolton familys third funeral in 18 months

A GRANDSON has set up a fundraiser to cover his uncle’s funeral costs after his grandmother tragically lost two other sons last year.

Joyce Slater’s eldest son Zane Greene died suddenly from a heart attack on July 2 this year at age 65.

It came after she had lost two of her other sons, her youngest Dominic Greene, 52, and Vance Greene, 61, to cancer in early 2020. The three sons are survived by two sisters and two brothers.

Unfortunately, Zane was not covered by any insurance and money had already been spent on the previous funerals.

Wanting to give his uncle the send off he deserved, Jason Holmes set up an online fundraising page to cover the funeral costs. So far, nearly £2,500 of the initial £3,000 target has been donated.

Now the family has been able to secure a funeral date for Zane, who had recently moved to Great Lever, for July 30.

Jason said: “Obviously it’s been hard for everyone these past 18 months. We sadly lost my Uncle Vance in January last year from throat cancer.

“It had been expected as he had treatment for it. But then my Uncle Dominic died from lung cancer on March 13, just before lockdown, and he had kept it from my grandma as he didn’t want to worry her.

“We were able to attend Vance’s funeral but not Dominic’s as that was when Covid hit. My grandma was devastated.

“Then earlier this month my uncle Zane died from a heart attack, he had just moved house and I think it had been quite a stressful experience, along with the upset of losing his two brothers last year.

“His girlfriend rang me to say that he had passed, I started crying at the thought of telling my grandma that she had lost another son.”

Zane did not have any insurance and as his death was unexpected, had not left any funds to cover a funeral. So, Jason decided to launch a fundraising page.

He added: “My grandma is of that generation where you don’t ask for things, but it broke my heart knowing we didn’t have enough money to give Zane a proper send off.

“I’d seen these fundraisers before so created one myself, I set the target for £3,000 so he can have a dignified goodbye and my grandmother can have closure.

“I’ve been absolutely amazed at the response; I couldn’t believe how it had spread on social media.

“Friends I’ve not spoken to in years have given a fiver or a tenner, and some have messaged me saying they are too skint to donate but have shared it on â€" even that means a lot to me.

“It’s incredibly humbling and I’m lost for words. Bromley’s Funeral Services has been very supportive of us as well.

“Zane was a biker. He was probably a shot away from being a Hells Angel. I think a few bikers are planning on doing a ride by at the funeral.”

Jason lives with his grandmother in Darcy Lever. Joyce, 86, has been overwhelmed by the response from friends and family.

She added: “I am absolutely astonished; I couldn’t believe it. It’s just wonderful and it’s done extremely well.

“To lose three sons has been so hard, especially Zane as he wasn’t even ill. He had been stressed these past few months and losing his brothers added to this.

“I am sure we will be able to organise a nice send off for him now.”

You can donate to the fundraiser here.

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