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🇮🇸 Iceland /Good News

Fundraiser launched in memory of 24-year-old lost to addiction

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A fundraising campaign has been launched in memory of Henning Jóhannesson, who died at 24 from addiction.
  • The campaign aims to create and support resources for young people with addiction issues in Northern Iceland and assist their families.
  • His parents highlighted the lack of adequate addiction treatment services outside the capital region.

A heartfelt fundraising initiative has been established in memory of Henning Jóhannesson, who tragically passed away in May at the age of 24 due to addiction. His parents, Jóhannes Gísli Henningsson and his wife, are spearheading the campaign to honor their son's memory and address a critical need for support services.

When one needed some assistance, the help was very little or none in this area. The resources are simply non-existent.

— Jóhannes Gísli HenningssonDescribing the lack of addiction support services in Northern Iceland.

"The help was very little or none in this area when one needed some assistance. The resources are simply non-existent," stated Jóhannes Gísli Henningsson, Henning's father. He described his son as a "wonderful boy in every way" and expressed the profound pain of his loss. The family's personal experience with the challenges of addiction has motivated them to create a positive impact for others facing similar struggles.

He was a wonderful boy in every way. It was so incredibly painful. He was only 24 years old.

— JóhannRemembering his son Henning.

The campaign's primary goal is to bolster and potentially establish resources for young individuals battling addiction in the Northern Iceland region, while also providing support to their families. The initiative is collaborating with Samherji's (Samheldni) project, which aims to unite Icelandic businesses and the community in a concerted effort to improve services for those with addiction disorders and their loved ones. Funds raised will be directed to the Samheldni fund, with a specific allocation for projects in Northern Iceland, aiming to transform painful experiences into constructive action.

We desperately wanted to commemorate him by starting some fundraising and trying to do some good and help someone else who might need it.

— JóhannExplaining the motivation behind the fundraising campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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