Family set up charity in music-loving son's memory

A family has set up a charity to help aspiring musicians in memory of their music-loving son who died earlier this year.

Dan Towriss, 24, from Rotherham, was autistic and his sudden death in July "left the biggest hole in my heart", said his mother Jennifer.

His father, Nick, said the family had set up a charitable foundation in Dan's honour to help young people "learn music, experience music and find the joy in music".

The charity One More Song takes its name from something Dan used to do at the gigs he played, said Nick, who acted as his roadie.

Dan was found dead at his computer on 11 July by his mother and although he had been ill, the family said that was not related to his sudden passing. Tests are still being carried out to find out the cause of death.

Dan's funeral took place in August.

"Dan often struggled with his mental health, but music was his outlet," said Nick.

"A self-taught singer songwriter who just loved to play at any given opportunity, he gave so much of his time helping others, making people happy bringing them together."

Jennifer said the foundation would "mean other young people can also play and write music, sing, dance or perform and grow a talent and a confidence in music where they may have challenges they need a little help to overcome."

National music charity Young Sounds UK has underlined the importance of access to musical instruments and lessons for young people.

Its chief executive, Hester Cockcroft, said many of the talented people it supported had autism or were neurodivergent in some way.

"The benefits of confidence-building can be particularly noticeable where young people might struggle at school, maybe academically or because they've got additional needs," she said.

"To be able to express themselves creatively and emotionally is such a positive thing."

Nick said music acted as a social bridge that helped his son connect with other people.

"In his honour, we want to create a foundation where we can help young musicians between the age of 16 to 24 get into music, whether that's by donating musical instruments to them, or guiding them into pathways for singing lessons or performing," he said.

"The foundation is in its infancy but we want Dan's legacy to outlive us."

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