Donations made at the funeral of a popular young man from Tring will go towards sending a volunteer to help build and repair homes for poor people in Kyrgyzstan.
Henry Nash, who passed away on Tuesday, October 16, had planned to join Tring Team Parish’s volunteers, who are going on a charitable mission next July.
As an instructor at Tring Martial Arts, an executive at Grass Roots, a casual worker at FW Metcalfs and a volunteer at The Court Theatre, the 24-year-old was a real community stalwart.
His death shocked the town and so far people have donated £3,364 to Christian charity Habitat For Humanity, which the parish team will build homes with.
Rev Jo Wetherall said: “People have been dropping off envelopes even after Henry’s funeral. The network of people he touched in the community is amazing.
“There has been an outpouring of love. His death was a dreadful thing to happen.”
In 2008 Henry was part of the original group from the Tring Team Parish who teamed up with the charity and went to Kyrgyzstan to help poor people there.
The church group have been unable to return until now.
During this next trip they will build new houses and complete unfinished homes, renovate properties and install ecologically safe toilets in rural communities.
The trip will cost each participant £2,750, which will go towards the project. The volunteers will cover flight and accommodation costs themselves.
Rev Wetherall said: “We would like to chose someone from Henry’s peer group but we are taking our time because it’s a bit sensitive at the moment. Those who knew him are grieving.”
The Kyrgyzstan team will be doing a sleep out in front of St Peter and St Paul Church on Friday, December 14. Visit www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/TringTeam for information.