Memorial bench and candlelit vigil planned for Gareth Jones

Gareth Jones, 39, vanished from Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham on May 8 and was last spotted in an alleyway by The Gillies in Fareham four days later.

His body was found by police near Old Gosport Road on Thursday, July 23.

Now friends and family are working to have a memorial bench with a plaque bearing his name placed at the end of Fareham Creek near Fareham Marina, one of his favourite areas according to family friend Sarah Jones.

The crowdfunding effort is a third of the way to reaching the £1,500 needed for the bench, which will be provided by Fareham Borough Council, with any remaining funds donated to Gosport Salvation Army.

Loved ones hope to pay tribute their friend with ‘a massive, massive heart’, according to Sarah, who met him through a homeless support group she had set up.

The 51-year-old said: ‘Myself and my daughter set up a homeless group called Home about five years ago, and Gareth was one of the guys we used to help, and then he started to help us.

‘He helped us loads, sorting clothes and donations – he was there every weekend.’

‘He had a massive, massive heart.

‘He was a troubled soul, but he was always there for people, he always made people laugh.’

Gareth had been staying in a hostel in Fareham when his declining mental health led to his admittance at Queen Alexandra Hospital on the day he was last seen.

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Sarah believes more could have been done to support her friend, who struggled to adjust to life under lockdown.

The Titchfield Common resident said: ‘He was let down. I don’t think he was supported as he should have been.

‘Lockdown happened, and he was such a friendly person – he needed that interaction with people.

‘He would have really struggled.’

A candlelit vigil will be held in Old Gosport Road, near The Castle In The Air pub, at 7.30pm on Saturday, August 8.

Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the memorial bench can find more information on the ‘Memorial for Gareth Jones’ Facebook page.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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