How one little boy is still lighting the way for others

When Lee and Genna Boshir lost their two-year-old son with no warning signs, their world shattered.

There’s no guidebook for navigating that kind of grief, only the unbearable silence that follows.

But in the face of the unimaginable, they found a way to honour his memory and help others stumbling through the same darkness.

What began as a way to survive their own heartbreak has grown into something powerful: a community-led memorial walk raising money for Lync for the Stars, which now raises thousands to support families going through child loss.

Lee, Lync’s dad, said: “Our world changed forever when we lost our beautiful little boy, Lync.

Lync to the Stars

“He was just two years old—full of life, laughter, and the brightest energy.

“No words can ever explain the pain of losing a child, and nothing can prepare a family for the heartbreak that follows.”

There had been no warning signs, no illness. For months, the family had no answers: only grief, silence, and a hole that nothing could fill. It wasn’t until recently that they learned the cause of his death.

Yet from the depths of that despair, something remarkable has emerged: Lync to the Stars, a nonprofit initiative founded by Lee, his wife Genna, sister-in-law Carly, and brother-in-law Stu. Let’s not forget the support of Lync’s brothers, Nate and Crew. 

The mission is simple but profound: to help other families enduring the unimaginable grief of losing a child.

Lync to the Stars provides financial support for funeral “extras,” those small but significant details that make a farewell feel personal.

From floral tributes that spell a child’s full name to keepsakes that celebrate their memory, the initiative ensures that bereaved families don’t have to compromise during a time of heartbreak.

“We’re not trying to take over anyone’s grief,” said Lee.

“We just want to help, quietly and compassionately. We don’t contact families directly, it’s all through our partner, Memories Funeral Directors. If someone’s struggling, they let us know and we step in.”

So far, the initiative hasn’t had to help a family yet, but they’re ready when that time comes. “It’s early days,” Lee explained. “But we’ve built something with love. And it’s going to grow.”

At the centre of Lync to the Stars is an annual walk that honours Lync’s memory while raising crucial funds for the initiative’s work. Last year’s walk, which began as a modest family effort, raised between £7,000 and £10,000: an extraordinary achievement powered by grief, love, and the support of a tight-knit community.

This year’s walk takes place on June 28th and follows the same challenging 32-kilometre route from Woodbank Park in Stockport to Buxton with 90 people taking part this year. 

“It’s not an easy route,” Lee admitted. “But that’s kind of the point. It’s tough, it’s emotional, and it pushes you. That physical challenge mirrors what we go through every day, carrying this loss. It’s our way of honouring Lync and channelling our pain into something good.”

The walk is as symbolic as it is practical. “Last year we called him our guiding star,” Lee said. “So now we’re following a path, just like we follow him. To infinity and beyond.”

The initiative’s future plans include more than just walks. “We’d love to do a free Christmas event for children,” Lee said, his voice brightening for the first time. “We’ll use any leftover funds from the walk to make it happen.”

Keeping Lync’s name alive

This isn’t about raising more money or growing the nonprofit into a national organisation. It’s about keeping one little boy’s name alive—and helping others feel less alone.

“We lost Lync. But we didn’t lose his light,” Lee said. “If we can give even one family a moment of peace, or help them hold onto something beautiful from their goodbye, then he’s still with us. That’s his legacy.”

And that’s what Lync to the Stars really is: a legacy of love, built from heartbreak, driven by hope.

As the walkers gather on that summer morning in June, stepping off from Stockport towards the distant hills of Buxton, they won’t just be walking for a cause.

They’ll be walking for Lync—for his memory, for his spirit, and for every family still searching for a glimmer of light in the darkest night.

And for those who can’t join the walk, there’s still a chance to support, from donating to sharing the story.

Because love, like stars, shines brightest when it’s shared.

How to support Lync to the Stars

Visit Lync to the Stars JustGiving page to donate or learn more here