Josh’s Story

Josh was 21 when he lost his life in an unprovoked knife attack on the 11th of October 2015, shortly after arriving at a bar in Eastcote, West London.

He was born on Sunday 27th February 1994 at Central Middlesex Hospital at 3.24am, weighing 7lbs 10oz. He was beautiful, happy and care-free and grew into an inquisitive toddler who was full of life. Josh was a happy young boy and always surprised me with his gentle and kind approach to those around him. He had a smile for everyone and his laugh was infectious.

I knew from the moment Josh was born that I was truly blessed, just as I had been 4 years before when his older sister Brooke had been born.

From the moment Brooke met her baby brother she held him in a way that I knew would bond them for life. Josh adored his older sister too and he was as protective of her as she was of him. They would spend hours on end playing happily and it was a bond that continued as they grew into adults, sharing holidays, nights out and even the same friends.

Josh’s zest for life would rub off on everyone, although you needed a lot of energy to keep up with him as he wanted to live every second of his life to the full.

Josh left school with 5 GCSE’s and went on to study at West Herts College in Watford, where he gained a BTEC in Sports Science and qualified as a personal trainer.

During the summer break he decided to apply for a job as a Planner for Stanmore Quality Surfacing Ltd and was offered the position the day after his interview. Josh very quickly became an integral part of the team, excelled in his role and was ear-marked for bigger things. Josh liked being busy and busy he was.

But, sadly, Josh’s life was cut tragically short at the age of just 21. And while we grieve and face the heartbreak of knowing we will never get to spend another day with him, or share any more memories together, we do all we can to create change and, in doing so, leave a legacy of positivity, love and compassion in Josh’s name.