'Help us to bury Andrea': Family's plea after shock death of 20-year-old
THE family of a 20-year-old woman struck down with pneumonia are desperately trying to raise more than £4,000 to pay for her funeral.
Friends and family of Andrea Dursch are still struggling to come to terms with the shock death of the shop assistant just two weeks after she became unwell.
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TRAGEDY: Andrea Dursch.
It is the second tragedy to hit brother, Mitch, aged 21, and 16-year-old sister Gina after their mother, Betty, died from bowel cancer four years ago at the age of 55.
Now the family are appealing for support as they try to raise enough money to pay for a funeral for Andrea, who had no life insurance.
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A charity night at Cobridge Community Centre held on Sunday night has already raised £1,700 towards the funeral.
Mitch, of Newcastle, said: "We're still in shock. Andrea didn't smoke and she didn't drink much.
"Sure she had the odd McDonald's now and again like anyone else, but she was 20 years old and fit and happy.
"She was always smiling. She got on with everyone and was a very good, pleasant person.
"She was the sort of person who if you felt down, she would cheer you up. We're getting together to discuss ideas for the funeral, but we want it to do her justice."
Andrea, who attended St Peter's High School, in Penkhull, worked at Scotts clothes shop in Hanley's Potteries Shopping Centre.
She had recently become engaged to fiance Chris Melia and they lived together in Abbotts Drive, Sneyd Green.
Chris, aged 23, said: "She was the best person I ever met, and that's why I got engaged to her.
"We were a very mature couple and we were very happy together."
Andrea died on August 25 at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. She had been in intensive care for two weeks after being taken ill suddenly.
Friend Prince Bwalya, aged 20, who attended this week's fund-raiser, said: "She was like a sister to me. She would be happy that we are trying to do this for her."
An undertaker today warned families often struggle to raise money for the funeral of a young person.
Paul Barrett, manager of Marsh & Son Funeral Directors in Newcastle, said: "We can be talking anything from £2,500 upto £6,000 for a funeral.
"I would say the average is around £3,500, but it depends on exactly what the family's requirements are.
"Unfortunately, for young people these days, it is already a struggle to buy a property and put food on the table – so life insurance is not something that takes priority."
Andrea also leaves behind uncle Stembridge, aged 40, and auntie Anita Banda, aged 35.
Anyone who would like to make a donation towards the funeral should call Mitch on 07866 256717.
To pay your respects to Andrea, email tributes@thesentinel.co.uk.
Comments
by nelsonl
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 1:51PM
“Holzyboo...And Redtone.
Where did i once say they were "begging"???????????????
Read my post again the pair of you instead of browsing through it and putting words in your own mouths........
What part of
1-They used to do a funeral for those short on funds at Hartshill. I do not know if this is still the case.
2-Also if the relatives are on benefits they get help from the social i think.
3-A sad loss, and in a very unfortunate case
4-I hope they solve their problems and she gets a decent burial
RIP.
Dont you understand ??????????????????????????????????????????
The first 2 quotes were hopefully something they could of tried to use to see if they could sort out the shortfull which they could not afford
The second 2 quotes were offering my deepest smypathy for their sad loss
then this
"but i personally do not think its right to go to the sentinal to ask for funds to bury the poor young lady.
Sorry if this seems uncaring to some people, its not meant that way as i genuinely feel for the family"
this was meaning rather than have the sentinal involved and having spread across the news in my opinion not a good idea in case it caused EMBARRASSMENT, and have people who are on low incomes saying things like "dont they realise stoke on trent is full of people who are skint, what makes them so different".
I never once mentioned BEGGING,SCROUNGING, or any such thing.
So Holzyboo i suggest before casting judgement you read peoples posts properly before saying "dont post at all"
As for you Redtone whoever you are.
1- I arent a troll.
2- I do feel for this family as i know what its like to lose loved ones seeing as i lost my mother father and grandmother all within a 12 month period.
And also my brother was found dead just before xmas, and no not through drugs or drink.
SO dont give it the to lose a young girl is a pain you cant imagine !!!!!
I can imagine because im still trying to come to terms with the deaths of my family, of whom i have NONE left now.
I will also have you know im not an idiot !!!!!!!!!!! I may not get my wording across properly sometimes, but i am clearly no IDIOT...................”
by Anon_mow_cop
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 9:32AM
“It is desperatly sad when a young person like this dies suddenly, to be robbed of those all those years of life cannot be measured in any terms.She would have probably had children later in life, so they have been denied the gift of life as well.RIP Andrea.
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come" Tagore”
by Anti2Moaner
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 8:14AM
“My condolences to then family. I find the cost of funerals is getting ridiculous , how can even the even £2500 be justified?”
by Holzyboo
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 9:02PM
“wasnt even*”
by Holzyboo
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 9:00PM
“No wasting including you Redtone
Sorry about that didnt state clearly enough that i meant
PONGO and NELSONL!”
by Redtone
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 8:40PM
“Holzyboo, hope you aren't including me in that. To lose your girl at 20 is a pain I can hardly imagine. My best wishes are sincere. I see why you're angry with some of the regular trolls on here.
Idiots!”
by Holzyboo
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 8:39PM
“oopsy i didnt think the first one posted!”
by Holzyboo
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 8:18PM
“why do people have to comment for no reason
disrespectful!!
The family of Andrea arent begging they are simpley asking for help from people who are willing too!!!
Not begging
if people dont have nice things to say then dont comment at all. You DONT have to comment on every single subject matter!!!
Rest In Peace Andrea Thoughts go out to your family and friends, you'll be missed by all that knew you!!.Taken away far to soon x”
by Holzyboo
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 8:11PM
“Rest in peace Andrea you will be missed by all those that knew you!!
and as for the comments below
disrespectful! dont comment on things just for the sake of if you havent got anything nice to say then dont say it
and as for begging, people wont give money unless they want to, they arent getting up in peoples faces begging they are just simpley asking for a bit of help from people who are willing.,
you know you dont have to comment on every single subject matter!!”
by nelsonl
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 7:48PM
“They used to do a funeral for those short on funds at Hartshill. I do not know if this is still the case.
Also if the relatives are on benefits they get help from the social i think.
A sad loss, and in a very unfortunate case, but i personally do not think its right to go to the sentinal to ask for funds to bury the poor young lady.
Sorry if this seems uncaring to some people, its not meant that way as i genuinely feel for the family, but the people of stoke on trent struggle enough as it is, and i bet a lot are in the same boat, and to be asked for donations puts people in a very awkward and embarrasing situation
I hope they solve their problems and she gets a decent burial
RIP.”