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Crowdfunding appeal launched for three boys after parents die in suspected suicides

A crowdfunding appeal has been set up to help three boys who have been orphaned after their parents both died in suspected suicides – six years apart.

The fund is designed to help Kai, 28, Nat, 17, and Brock Neville, 10, after they lost their mum Angie, who was believed to have taken her own life at the age of 48 just before Christmas.

Her death came six years after the body of their father, Mark, was found in the water off Fistral beach in their home town of Newquay, Cornwall.

The 45-year-old renowned surfboard shaper was missing for 13 days before his body was discovered on rocks in February 2011.

The following year an inquest heard how he had been battling depression and struggled with suicidal thoughts in the months preceding his death.

Despite this a coroner said he could not record a verdict of suicide, as an accident could not be ruled out.

An inquest into Angie’s death will be held at a later date.

The Neville brothers’ devastating loss has touched hearts of their local community in Newquay.

Diane Jones, of the Noah Project charity, set up the fundraising page on behalf of the community to help the boys with living costs and it has raised more than £1,000 in just over 24 hours.

She said: “A few weeks before Christmas, Kai, Nat and Brock lost their dear mum Angie, who sadly took her own life.

“Angie was a very kind-hearted and generous person, always on the lookout to help others.

“She lived for her boys and there is now a massive void in their lives. The boys are naturally heartbroken. They feel a great sorrow and will miss their loved mum tremendously.

“Those who know the family will recall the equally tragic loss of the boy’s father Mark, who also sadly took his own life in 2011.

“So the boys are left orphaned and face a difficult path ahead.”

The youngest boy, Brock, is now living with older brother Kai in London and has joined a new primary school in the area.

Nat remains in Newquay, where he is considering his options as he approaches his 18th birthday.

Diane added: “Of course, the boys are not alone. Many people have shown great kindness and support over the recent weeks, and for that we are very grateful.

“The boys face a complex set of ongoing needs – emotional, physical and financial.

“Lots of friends, near and far, have asked if a central page could be set up to offer support for them.”

She added: “There are a number of practical things the boys will need, particularly in these early months.

“Apart from the day-to-day things like rent, food and clothes, they will also need help with things such as funeral costs, moving costs, various travel costs and depending on circumstances, potential costs of furnishing and equipping a new family home.

“We are very grateful to the Noah Project and others for the kindness shown at this difficult time.”

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Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

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