THE weekend got off to a buzzing start for a community that gathered together to raise awareness of a killer health condition.

Josh West died days before his 12th birthday after suffering an asthma attack at his Ulverston home.

Described by all who knew him as a “well-liked” boy, Josh made many friends during his short life – many of whom turned out for a fundraising event in his honour.

The Red Rose Club, in Victoria Road, opened its doors on Friday night to hundreds of Josh’s friends and family for a special Friday night party in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for The Joshua Foundation and Asthma UK.

Lee West, Josh’s dad, has been overwhelmed by the support from the community and the amount of money that has been raised so far.

He said: “I just can’t put into words just how everybody has gathered together. Tonight will make me realise just how well-known he was.

“He would have loved it because it’s all about him. He loved attention. He could walk into this room and not know anybody and walk back out knowing everybody. That was just him through and through.”

The evening was organised by Angela Fell and Rebecca Winder of The Red Rose Club who wanted to do something to help raise awareness about asthma.

Ms Winder said: “I suffer from asthma myself and Angela’s daughter suffers from it too so it’s something we both feel strongly about.

“I don’t think people realise just how serious it is. In Josh’s case it was a killer. There’s just not enough information about it like what to do if someone is having an attack.”

Mrs Fell added: “My daughter was in hospital with asthma a week after Josh. There’s still so many people who don’t know about it and it seems to be more of an issue now.”

The Red Rose Club has joined forces with Josh’s family in an attempt to educate more people about the dangers of the condition.

Mr West is determined to spread the word far and wide and has even secured the support of Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock, to make people take asthma seriously.

He said: “Schools need to know and parents need to know. Josh was a lad who for years has managed to play football and take part in so many activities and never once used it as an excuse and never let it get the better of him.”

Nicola Lancaster, Josh’s mum, added: “It’s just a shame it’s had to come to this – this tragedy – for people to think. Be careful and just don’t think it’s controllable because it’s not.”