Coronation Street star Debbie Rush - who played Anna Windass on the Cobbles - has launched a fundraiser in her son's memory after his death at 31 last year08:58, 01 Jul 2026Updated 08:58, 01 Jul 2026Coronation Street star Debbie Rush has launched a fundraiser in her son's memory after his death at 31.‌William Rush - who starred on Coronation Street in 2014 and also on Waterloo Road, where he played Josh Stevenson, as well as roles in Shameless, Grange Hill, Casualty and Vera - died in December, his heartbroken mother announced at the time.‌Months after his death, Debbie - who played Anna Windass - and her family have come together to raise money for Andy's Man Club. On a GoFundMe page, the family wrote: "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.‌"William helped as many people as he possibly could, especially those struggling with their mental health. He was neurodiverse and, although only recently diagnosed, had faced challenges for much of his life with quiet strength."The legacy we want to create in William’s memory is one he would be proud of — continuing to help others, just as he always did."‌The family announced their plans to start a William Rush Sports Day to raise funds for Andy's Man Club."To honour him, we have started “William Rush Sports Day.” Every year, since he was a little boy, William’s summer birthday was celebrated with something sports-related, surrounded by family and friends. This was something he truly loved, and it feels right to continue that tradition in his name," they wrote."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. No one should ever feel like they are alone, and reaching out to someone — a friend, family member, or even a stranger — can make all the difference."‌They added: "If this fundraiser does anything, we hope it encourages even one person to open up, to check in on someone they care about, and to remember that there is always someone willing to listen. Thank you for your support in helping us keep William’s spirit, kindness, and message alive."Debbie announced her son's death in December, saying he would "always be missed and forever in our hearts"."Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on 17th December. As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss," she wrote.Article continues below"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, thinking of others right to the very end. His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy. We kindly ask that our privacy be respected as we navigate this unimaginable grief. William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts."Like this s tory? F or more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .