The partner of 31-year-old, Gemma Harries, who tragically passed away in January 2023, is raising money in memory of ‘the love of his life’.
Gemma Harries, from Nantgaredig, collapsed suddenly in the early hours of the morning on Monday 16 January 2023 after feeling breathless and experiencing chest pains. Soon after, Gemma went into cardiac arrest and received CPR straight away.
The air ambulance attended Gemma, but despite the best efforts of the crew, she passed away at her partner’s home in Whitland at 10:15am.
At just 31-years-old, with her whole life ahead of her, Gemma had suffered a Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Joseff Edwards, from Whitland, met Gemma in 2020 after lockdown restrictions eased.
Speaking about Gemma, Joseff said: “Gemma was the love of my life, she was the type of person who would do anything for you. The first time you’d meet her would be like a breath of fresh air, and as if you’d known her for years. She was down to earth with a beautiful soul.”
Gemma lived with her mother, Joyce, and father Hugh, and was due to move in with Joseff the week she become unwell.
Her brother Jason, and sister-in-law, Hannah, live in Cardiff and Gemma was an incredibly proud auntie of 3-year-old Albie and 6-month-old Tilly.
Joseff said: “Gemma absolutely adored her niece and nephew and would go up to Cardiff nearly every Tuesday to look after them for the day. Gem was going to be moving in with me on the week where she passed away, sadly it was not to be.”
The beauty therapist worked in Sukar in Carmarthen and was loved by all her clients and colleagues. Joseff said: “Clients would tell me that she was more than a beauty therapist, she was someone they could talk to about anything and know that Gem would be there to listen and maybe even give advice. She had plenty of friends who she thought the world of, and they would often go out for meals or on a night out together.”
Joseff is approaching a milestone birthday this April, and it will be the first birthday without Gemma by his side since her passing.
Inspirationally, Joseff set up a 30th birthday fundraiser on Facebook to raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance in the hope he could change someone else’s life for the better.
He said: “I decided to support the Wales Air Ambulance for my birthday as they do an amazing job, and they are vital for our community! It is the least I can do, and we all need to do what we can to support them”.
“As difficult as it all is, I want to try to make something good out of a horrible situation.”
The fundraising page has already smashed the original target of £5,000 and currently stands at £6,200.
There has been an outpour of love and support shown on the page with nearly 300 people donating and leaving messages.
Joseff said: “I can’t believe how much support I have had in such a short amount of time. People are very kind and generous it is very overwhelming, but I thank everyone who has messaged and donated, it truly does mean the world to me”.
Laura Slate, Wales Air Ambulance’s Communications and Engagement Manager said: “As a Charity, we are deeply saddened to hear of Gemma’s passing. It is clear from the messages online, and from her family and friends that Gemma was a truly inspiration lady, with so much to offer the world.
“We cannot begin to imagine the pain felt by Gemma’s loved ones and are truly inspired by Joseff’s generosity. During a time of unimaginable sadness, he is focussing on helping others, and creating a lasting legacy in Gemma’s name. Thank you so much Joseff for supporting us, and to all those who have donated. To have raised over £6,000 in a couple of weeks is astounding.
“Our thoughts remain with you all and we hope this will bring you some comfort on your birthday.”
Joseff finished by saying: “I don’t need to say how different this birthday is going to be, but this will be a celebration in memory of Gemma Harries. She was just beautiful, and I love her to the moon and back.”
If you would like to donate to Joseff’s birthday fundraising in memory of Gemma, please visit: https://bit.ly/ForGemmaHarris
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