Brad Brock support his family at a painful time.

Hi - I'm writing on behalf of our dear friend Brad Brock from Asheville, NC, whose beloved brother Bruce has died unexpectedly. Bruce was found yesterday after an apparent fall, at home near St Louis. Bruce was a bedrock of the family, and has been an enormous support in recent years as Brad has provided local support to their mother Willie who is now in hospice care in Asheville. Brad is on the right in the photo above, with Bruce behind and Willie on the left.

Brad's sister Beth is traveling from Scottish Highlands so that she and Brad can go together to St Louis early next week, to make arrangements for the funeral and all the complexities that arise when someone has died suddenly.

To tend to these immediate needs, Brad is taking unpaid time off work as a frontline healthcare professional, and money is tight; the likely short term expenses associated with Bruce's death are beyond reach for now (including a possible impact on Brad's own health insurance). Add to this the fact that the cost of his mom's care was being funded mostly by Bruce, there are financial needs that are of genuine concern right now.

We know Brad to be one of the most generous, hospitable, kind and loving people. As his friends we wish to support him in this hour of need, as he has done the same for so many people over the years.

We're seeking to raise at least $10,000 to help address the short term financial needs (one flight from Beth's home in the Scottish Highlands alone takes up around $1500, and we anticipate there will need to be multiple trips from both the UK and NC to St Louis); we are enthusiastically supporting this goal ourselves. We are very grateful to Brad for allowing us the opportunity to support him - it is usually Brad doing the supporting, and the idea of allowing others to support him is challenging for him. But he is grateful for any help along the way, and will certainly pay it forward. And if you're not able to support financially at this point, thank you for your love and care in other ways - Brad wants you to know he is thinking of all people who are experiencing grief at present, and thank you for taking the time to read this.