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May 31 2023

Grieving Family Setups Fundraising In Memory Of Their Beloved Son After Tragic Car Crash

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In a tragic car crash near Hamilton, Victoria, four lives were abruptly taken, leaving families in mourning and a young woman fighting for her life. The incident shocked the families and prompted an outpouring of support. Amidst the sorrow, the family of Joshua Elmes has launched a heartfelt fundraiser to assist not only with funeral expenses but also to extend a helping hand to other grieving families facing similar heartbreak.

 

The devastating collision occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a tree on a narrow road. Victoria Police investigations have revealed that the vehicle was travelling at an alarming speed, well above 100km/hr. Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Glenn Weir expressed his disbelief at such reckless driving and emphasised the importance of adhering to road conditions. The absence of seatbelt usage further compounded the severity of the injuries sustained.

 

As the Hamilton community grapples with the tragedy, residents have rallied around the Elmes family, who tragically lost their beloved son, Joshua. In a plea, Joshua's family has reached out to their community, requesting support as they navigate the coming weeks and bid farewell to their cherished "angel" who is "no longer in pain."

 

Lee-Ann Elmes, Joshua's mother, expressed her desire to extend assistance to other grieving parents who have also lost their children or are coping with severe injuries. The funeral fundraiser aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with funeral costs and other expenses during the challenging months ahead. The Elmes family acknowledges the pain and grief shared by other families affected by the crash and wishes to also help others who are going through a similar situation.

 

Reflecting on Joshua's dreams and aspirations, his parents share details of his aspirations for the next decade of his life. Joshua, a cadet at Monivae College, had set goals to join the Australian Defense Force, own a farm, and start a family. His dreams included flying fast jets and marrying his chosen partner.

 

“We found a note of his computer today about his dream that he had written for himself in January stating what he wanted to do in the next 10 years,” Ms Elmes said to the Herald Sun. 

 

Matthew and Lee-Ann Elmes expressed their concerns about the allure of adrenaline-rush activities among teenagers, highlighting the need for safer alternatives such as theme parks or adventure sports. They believe that pushing boundaries by driving at high speeds for the sake of thrill poses unnecessary risks and tragic consequences.

 

The grieving parents emphasised that they harbour no hatred or blame towards anyone involved in the accident, recognising that assigning blame does not bring their beloved son back. They expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and messages of condolences they have received from the community, both in person and on social media.

 

To provide ongoing support for the affected families and help cover the costs associated with the tragic loss, a mycause fundraising page has been set up.

 

To learn more about this story, you can check out the articles at Sky News and the Herald Sun.

 

If you want to see how others like the Elme's family start fundraising in memory of a loved one, check out these pages, or start your fundraising efforts by clicking the button below.