More than £11,000 raised after death of Luke Harden in Bacup

Friend, Matt Oldham, launched the fundraiser on Monday, November 17.

The money will go towards funeral costs in the hope of giving Luke, known by many as ‘Duke’, “the send off he deserves”. Anything leftover will be donated to the Ginger Heart Foundation, a charity that Luke supported by DJing at an event.

·       READ MORE: Modelling agency's tribute to Luke Harden killed in Bacup

Matt said: “I am a very good friend of Duke’s and I’m calling for help.

“Luke (Duke) was one of the most lovable and authentic people I had ever met. His light, whilst shining in his timeline, emitted right across the UK and every single person who knew him had their own special place for him in their heart.

“On November 1, he was taken away from this world in a tragic manner. This left a huge hole in that very place he had saved in our hearts.

“His family are now left with not only the repercussions of losing such an amazing soul but the burden of funding his funeral and final memory.

“I ask, not on the behalf of his family but on the behalf of anyone that knew him, to please dig deep so we can throw him the biggest send-off this man most definitely deserves.

“All proceeds will go direct to his immediate family to fund his funeral and any excess will go to the Ginger Heart Foundation.”

At the time of writing, £11,980 has been donated to the fundraiser.

Matt said he is “lost for words” at how much support the fundraiser has recieved.

He said: “I honestly wish I could get everyone who donated in a room and hug each and every one of them. I know people have their own struggles in life but they have put that aside to donate. It’s beautiful.

"Luke was honestly the closest thing to a brother to me without actually being blood-related. He was there for me whenever I needed it and I needed him.

"He was there for anybody who needed him, and we all needed him at some point in our lives. He was a massive character who was loud and confident. He was a super hero sales rep that modelled, was a DJ and partied better than anyone I know.

"He was driven and focused on success and never let anything get in his way. He was a massive part of my life, I loved the big idiot, and I’m going to miss him so much."

The Ginger Heart Foundation was a charity close to Luke's heart.  He helped plan an anniversary event in memory of Shaun Taylor, who took his own life in 2021 after a night out with friends.

Matt said: "Shaun was another local lad who was loved and respected by a vast amount of people. Duke and I were heavily involved in the first charity event they held for him which was a success and helped spread their message and Shaun’s memory."

Luke was discovered with injuries at 12.35am on Newchurch Road, on November 1.

Officers on patrol in the area came across paramedics giving CPR to Luke on the pavement at about 12.35am.

Despite their best efforts, Luke - who was well-known locally and had a career in modelling - was pronounced dead at the scene.

Natalie Chadwick, 27, and Bhekisani Matabiswana, 26, appeared before Preston Crown Court for a preliminary hearing after being charged with murder.

A plea and trial preparation hearing has been set for Monday, December 15, with a pre-trial review scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026. A trial has been slated to begin on Monday, April 27.

The family statement said: “There are no words to describe how devastated we all are.

"We wish our Luke could see the outpouring of love from everyone who knows him.

"He is and will always be special to us all, as a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, boyfriend and friend.

"You will be forever in our hearts and minds, and we are comforted knowing we can shut our eyes and your beautiful face will always be smiling back at us.

"Rest in peace, our gorgeous Luke, until we will meet again."

To donate to the fundraiser visit www.gofundme.com and search ‘Luke Harden’.

To learn more about the Ginger Heart Foundation or make a donation visit Facebook and search Ginger Heart Foundation.