Coronation Street star Debbie Rush has launched a fundraiser following the tragic death of her son. The star revealed last December that William, who played Josh Stevenson on Waterloo Road, passed away at the age of 31.
At the time, she shared that "as a family, our hearts are completely broken" and that "there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss".
Debbie and the Rush family have now shared a GoFundMe to raise money for Andy's Man Club in William's memory, explaining that they have decided to create William Rush Sports Day.
"Every year, since he was a little boy, William’s summer birthday was celebrated with something sports-related, surrounded by family and friends," the page says. "This was something he truly loved, and it feels right to continue that tradition in his name.
"Through this event, we hope to bring people together, raise money, and celebrate William’s wonderful life. Most importantly, we want to share a message that truly matters: it’s okay to talk. No one should ever feel like they are alone, and reaching out to someone — a friend, family member, or even a stranger — can make all the difference."
They further expressed hope that it "encourages even one person to open up, to check in on someone they care about, and to remember that there is always someone willing to listen".
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William "was always there to listen, offering kindness, understanding, and support to anyone who needed it" and "helped as many people as he possibly could, especially those struggling with their mental health", they further wrote.
"He was neurodiverse and, although only recently diagnosed, had faced challenges for much of his life with quiet strength."
The page is aiming to raise £3,000, and at the time of writing has attracted more than half the goal.
In her original announcement, Debbie – who played Anna Windass on Coronation Street – explained that William's "kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy", sharing that he was also an organ donor.
"William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts," she added.
