AN ONLINE fundraiser has been launched to help pay for the cost of a Shaftesbury man’s headstone after his son donated his £500 winnings from a recent carnival game.

15-year-old Harry Chant was the winner of the grand ball run which saw people buy tickets to secure their very own colourful plastic ball which, along with 5,000 other balls, cascaded down Gold Hill in Shaftesbury last weekend (September 21) as part of the Shaftesbury Carnival, with the lucky winner receiving a £500 prize.

Harry’s father, Michael died 18 months ago at the age of just 39 and his family have been saving up to buy a headstone ever since.

READ MORE: Shaftesbury teen uses carnival winnings to help pay for dad’s headstone

Instead of spending the winnings on himself, Harry gave his money to his mother to go towards the £5,500 headstone fund, meaning the family are now just £1,500 shy of their target.

To meet this shortfall, the Shaftesbury community has banded together to launch an online fundraising campaign – with £405 raised in just two days.

On the fundraising page, Claire Griffin said: “Lisa and her family have saved hard over the last 18 months to raise money to go towards Michael’s head stone and I am setting up this page for anyone who wishes to help them with their final fundraising push.”

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/shaftesbury-teen-uses-carnival-winnings-to-help-pay-for-dad