The family of a man from Altrincham who was killed by a falling tree in Sale last week say they are “absolutely devastated” by his sudden death.
Darnell Cordingley, 26, was hit by a tree in a freak accident on Darley Street on Thursday October 6th.
The former Altrincham College of Arts pupil attended South Trafford College before studying direction and film at the University of Central Lancashire. He would post his own films on a YouTube page.
Darnell was living at home with his mum and sister while trying to safe enough money to get on to the property ladder.
And his mum, Beth Cordingley, said “nothing could fill” the “emptiness” left by his death.
“Darnell was just a lovely, lovely gentle soul. He just wanted to help people, he was always a happy, cheery, positive person. He was the apple of my eye, my world, and my strength. He was a really good son, loving, loyal, always there for us both and always took care of his sister, we’re going to miss him very much.
“Myself and my daughter are absolutely devastated, it’s always been us three against the world and nothing can fill the void that’s been left in our lives. There’s nothing that can fill this emptiness,” she told the Manchester Evening News.
“It’s just tragic, it shouldn’t have happened to him. He had a happy and caring soul and always wanted the best for everyone. He could brighten up any room.”
His 23-year-old sister, Indio, said Darnell was “the best big brother anyone could have hoped for”.
“He was always by my side when times got hard and I’m going to miss his comforting presence,” she said.
“He genuinely cared about everything and everyone, and he never had an enemy, everyone that met him loved him. Everyone he ever met was friends with him, he never had anything bad to say about anyone, he was just happy to be a part of people’s lives.
“He was down to earth, kind, and had a really calming and comforting presence. Even if you were the most stressed you’d ever been he’d calm you down. He always knew the right thing to say. He was a really interesting person, everything about him was just intriguing.”
Leon Doyle, Darnell’s dad, said the “world will be a darker place” without his son, while best friend Daniel Sharples said he was “the most down to earth and kind person you would ever meet… he cannot be replaced and I will miss you always”.
A fundraising page has now been set up by Emma Beesley, a close family friend, to help Darnell’s family pay for the funeral.
A post on the page read: “Our beautiful Darnell has been taken from us in such an unexpected and tragic accident, his amazing mum has to now deal with planning a funeral for her baby boy, as a parent nobody thinks about this let alone has to face the reality of actually doing it.
“I am asking for help to raise funds to give our Darns the send of he truly deserves, please think about donating no matter how small so that we can try to take some unnecessary stress away from them. Darnell was such a gentle and beautiful soul and I myself am struggling to find the right words to say.”
To donate to the fundraiser, visit this page.
