THE family of a "much loved" man have issued an emotional plea to help pay for his funeral.

Stuart Luce, also known as Stewie, suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy from a young age and spent the majority of his life in a wheelchair.

The 21-year-old died died from pneumonia, associated to his condition, late last month, with his body currently being kept at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

His family desperately want to funeral directors to remove his body for burial, but say they are struggling to pay the £1,200 costs associated.

The full cost of the funeral will be in excess of £4,000, but they say this will be paid by them in instalments. The initial cost is needed imminently though, with £600 already being donated online.

Mr Luce was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was eight-years-old, and wheelchair bound from the age of nine.

He was described as a well-known figure in Thornhill, where he grew up.

His sister Sarah Davies said: "He was the heart and soul of our family and kept us all together. If there was ever any argument he would get us all speaking again.”

The community previously fundraised to buy him a special wheelchair, something his family said made a huge difference to his life.

“We can’t grieve because we are keeping things together for mum and helping her as much as we can," added Ms Davies.

"Everyone has been supportive and keeping in contact with her.”

She also said that Mr Luce had specifically requested that he not be cremated, and they are fundraising to give him "the funeral he deserved".

Ms Davies said any support would be hugely appreciated.

“Anything anyone can do, big or small, every little thing can help us put him to rest," she added.

“Any extra money we raise will go towards a headstone. We want somewhere for mum to go because he was her life.”

Fundraising activities are taking place throughout this weekend at Rubys Bar and Grill in Thornhill, and several businesses already donating items to the cause.

Mr Luce’s mother, Tracey Davies, said she had been touched by the support shown.

“Everyone loved Stewie," she said.

"I would like to thank everyone for doing what they are doing.

"It’s good to know there are still good people about.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the funeral costs can do so online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stewielucesfund