A WEBSITE inspired by a dad-of-one who died suddenly has been inundated with thousands of visitors.
Kelvin Bedford, 37, of the Ridgeway, Connah’s Quay, died at his home in July with the cause of his death still unknown.
After struggling to cope with the grief his partner, web designer Julie Genders, 27, set up the Loved Ones Gone But Not Forgotten site for those who have lost someone to share their stories and memories.
In a week the site has had more than 6,000 visitors.
“After Kelvin died I felt like I was on my own,” said Julie.
“Nobody knew what I was going through. I wanted to find a chat room on the internet to talk to other people about it.
“There was only one and that was in America and you had to pay for it.
“There was nowhere for people to go and share their thoughts and feelings.”
Julie, a former Connah’s Quay High School pupil then set about launching the website in memory of Kelvin who she described as her “soul mate”.
She said: “It started as something to take my mind off the grief. There is a chat room, remembrance wall, forum and you can dedicate a star to a loved one.
“I have had 6,000 hits since it launched last Monday."
She added: “The site is more special because Kelvin went out of his way to help people and it is nice to know he is still helping people.
“The amount of messages I have had has been brilliant. People have been sending me emails about their stories. I have been in tears with a few of them.
“After Kelvin’s death it has been very difficult. I started to see a counsellor. I felt like I couldn’t talk to other people about in case I upset them.
“You keep it to yourself.
“I think a lot more could be done for people who are grieving. It is not a subject you talk about much.”
Kelvin, known as ‘Kel’ to friends and family, was a former salesman, working throughout the north west.
He was a former pupil of Mold Alun High School and was as a well-known skateboarder in his youth, he had campaigned tirelessly for facilities in the area.
Kelvin’s mother Jean, 58, said: “When we lost Kelvin there was nowhere we could go to talk to somebody. It is a project she took on and it has kept her busy.
“We are very proud of her. She has done marvellously. People are saying this is what they needed.
“The loss affected her so much she felt she needed to help herself and other people. There was nothing else out there. It is a lovely tribute. We are very proud of her.”
You can visit the site at www.logbnf.info