A fundraiser has been launched to help the family of Leeds brewery owner Jesus Moreno cover the costs of his funeral.
The co-founder of Piglove Brewery disappeared last summer but his body was only found this month following an eight-month search.
A Go Fund Me page has now been set up to help his loved ones cover the cost of his funeral, which will take place in May at Cottingley Crematorium.
Afterwards, family and friends will raise a beer at ‘one of his happy places, Piglove by the River.’
So far, the fundraiser has beaten its target of £4,000 with its total sitting at £4,160 at the time of writing.
A statement from Jesus’s family and friends reads: “To all of you that have supported our continued search for Jesus Moreno, thank you.
“We are sorry to tell you that after over eight months of heartache our beloved ‘Chucho’ has been found.
“His funeral service will be held at Cottingley Crematorium, Leeds on Monday 22nd May @ 12:15pm.
“We invite all of you, who are able, to attend and to please join us in raising a beer to his memory afterward at one of his happy places Piglove by the River.
“We are all devastated to hear of his passing and were not prepared for the high costs of a funeral service.
“We have been inundated with well wishes and during this difficult time are reaching out to you to help.
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“The service needs to be paid for by the 22nd May and includes the transportation of his body, cremation and service.
“Please consider donating, if you are able to do so. We are so very grateful for every donation during this challenging time.
“Thank you, Jesus’ Family & Friends.”
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Jesus Moreno, 41, was the co-founder of craft brewery Pig Love and a much-loved member of Leeds’ local hospitality scene.
According to West Yorkshire Police, he was last seen boarding a Harrogate-bound bus from Leeds bust station in the early hours of the morning before getting off on the A61 Harrogate Road in the vicinity of Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick at 6.39am.
He was last seen on CCTV near to Harewood Bridge at 6.14am that morning, but family and friends maintain they don’t know why he would have gone to Harrogate – insisting that he was in “good spirits all weekend and up early, and ready for work on Monday.”
The staff at Piglove said at the time: “Nobody knows why Jesus chose to travel to Harrogate. His daughter and all his family are extremely worried for his well-being.No one has seen or heard from Jesus since.”
Featured image – West Yorkshire Police
