The beloved founder of a charity which helped thousands of Aussies struggling with homelessness and mental health has died age 40.
Scott Johnson was one of the co-founders of the Perth-based charity Assisting Your Life To Achieve (AYLA) alongside his husband David.
A not-for-profit, AYLA aided those struggling with homelessness and was NDIS-registered to provide support for people with learning complexities and mental health issues, as well as specialising in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
On its Facebook, the charity announced it was closed until further notice due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
In a GoFundMe, close friend Rebecca Roach paid tribute to the “tragedy” of Mr Johnson’s passing on September 9.
The fundraiser will cover the costs of a funeral after Ms Roach revealed Mr Johnson’s family were dealing with the financial burden of paying for one.
“This world lost the most amazing man … a husband, a father, a best friend, a supporter, a helper (and) to many the kindest soul to walk this earth,” she wrote in the fundraiser.
“He spent the last 10 years putting his personal life completely on hold to spend all his time, energy and strength helping people, making a real difference, assisting people to achieve and building over barriers.”
“Unfortunately Scott passed away without funeral or life insurance.
“His family whom are left grieving his loss are also having difficulty with the financial burden and strain of paying for a funeral.”
Since founding AYLA in 2018, Mr Johnson was actively involved in helping providing accommodation to some youths as young as 14, who were left homeless due to their sexuality.
As of 2022, the charity had aided over 15,000 families with emergency food, clothing and furniture relief amounting to over $1.1 million.
AYLA boasted a charity marketplace open 7 days a week and provided an OP shop, a hair salon, a cafe and a sewing and craft room.
In the GoFundMe, Ms Roach said Mr Johnson had achieved more in his 40 years than “many did”, paying tribute to the way he did so with an “open, caring heart”.
“I can’t express the amount of gratitude, pride and love I personally hold for this man, my one constant in 28 years, my best friend and soulmate,” she wrote.
“Many hearts bleed for his loss, this world is a much darker place without his presence.
“I ask that in grief he is remembered for the remarkable person he is, remember the literally thousands of people he helped and the wonderful soul we were fortunate to have in our lives.”
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