Former Coronation Street star Debbie Rush and her family have launched a fundraiser for men's suicide prevention charity Andy's Man Club, months after the death of her actor son, William Rush, at age 31.
William Rush's Acting Career and Death
William, who followed his mother into acting, trained at the Manchester School of Acting and appeared on Coronation Street in 2014 as a young man who threatened Maddie Heath at her hostel. His most notable role was Josh Stevenson on Waterloo Road from 2009 to 2012. He also appeared in Shameless, Grange Hill, Casualty, Vera, and The X Factor in 2016, reaching the six-chair challenge.
Debbie, who played Anna Windass on Coronation Street from 2008 to 2018, announced William's death in December on social media. Alongside a picture of William in a Manchester City shirt, she wrote: "Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on 17th December. As a family, our hearts are completely broken... Even in our darkest moment, William gave the most precious gift of all. Through being an organ donor, he has given hope and life to other families."
Fundraiser for Andy's Man Club
The Rush family launched a GoFundMe page, shared by Debbie on her Instagram Story alongside William's 2024 single "By My Side." The page states: "William Rush was an amazing young man who sadly lost his life at the age of 31. He was always there to listen, offering kindness, understanding, and support to anyone who needed it." It adds that William was neurodiverse and faced challenges with quiet strength.
The family announced "William Rush Sports Day," an annual event honouring William's love of sports-themed birthday celebrations. The post says: "Through this event, we hope to bring people together, raise money, and celebrate William's wonderful life. Most importantly, we want to share a message that truly matters: it's okay to talk."
Funds raised will support Andy's Man Club, a charity providing free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK. The family hopes the fundraiser encourages people to open up and check in on others, continuing William's legacy of helping those struggling with mental health.
