GoFundMe for Woods family from Frankston after son’s tragic suicide
A young Frankston man with a “wicked sense of humour” is being remembered by his family after his sudden death.
South East
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A Frankston family has tragically lost their second child following a tragic suicide just days out from Christmas.
Dylan Woods, 20, was found by his grandparents after tragically dying by suicide in their backyard, leaving the family devastated and wracked with grief and guilt.
Dylan’s father Clinton Woods said his son was a “loving kid” who always saw the good in people, having a great relationship with his younger brother Ethan who lives with severe autism.
He said Dylan had a “wicked sense of humour”, was a gifted guitarist, loved building lego models, was a “massive video game nerd” and a dog lover.
Mr Woods and his wife Karma had previously lost a son, Jaydn, 13 years ago to SIDS, burying their second son in the same cemetery.
The loss was compounded by the necessity to front up about $25,000 on short notice to cover the cost of Dylan’s funeral – even foregoing Christmas presents to afford the funeral.
The family had to use up the savings they had been putting away for their daughter’s international trip to compete in a major cheerleading competition — something she has been working towards for five years.
Amber, 14, was set to fly to America with her family – including Dylan – after winning the opportunity to compete, but now the family can’t afford the trip.
“She’s been really excited since her team won the chance, now we’re just trying to make that happen still,” Mr Woods said.
Following the tragedy, the family’s friend Jason Claypole has organised a GoFundMe to raise money to send Amber to America for her competition with the support of her family.
Mr Claypole, a long-time family friend said he knew the Woods family would never ask for help, so he took it upon himself to try and ease their burden following the devastating loss of Dylan.
He’s now raising $21,000 through GoFundMe to help get Amber with her family in 2024 over to America so she can compete.
Mr Woods said he was “taken by surprise” when he learned about the GoFundMe, but he was grateful for the support of his friends and the community.
“I don’t know how we’d fund it otherwise.”
