Scattering CJ: Mother sends her son's ashes around the world

Hallie Twomey described her social media campaign as 'a heartbroken mom's mission to send her beloved son on one final journey'

Twenty-year-old CJ Twomey took his own life four years ago, but his mother Hallie is using social media to continue his life's adventure — by scattering his ashes around the world.

In November 2013, after talking to her husband John, Hallie set up a Facebook page asking if anyone would want to take a small portion of her son's ashes from their home in Maine to scatter wherever they choose.

He had been a member of the US air force, and loved to travel.

Over the last year, more than 9,000 people have offered to scatter CJ, and his remains, distributed in small plastic packages and accompanied often accompanied by a picture, have seen more than 100 countries.

With less and less CJ to give out, and more people offering to help with her grand memorial, Hallie is now more selective, choosing places his ashes have yet to visit.

"He didn't get to see the world and I wanted to give CJ something he didn't get a chance to have," she told the BBC.

"I wish we could involve every person that offers but we only have a finite amount of ash.

"I ask them to let CJ know that we loved him. And the thing I need people to do most for me is to tell CJ I'm sorry. Because I am - I feel I let my son down."

Along with a picture of her son smiling, sitting in a brown leather chair, wearing what has become his signature Boston Red Sox shirt, Hallie has sent his ashes to be scattered from Machu Pichu, in front of the Taj Mahal, on the Antartic, under the sea, by the beach, and even blasted off into space.

It's a project that has spanned all seven continents, along the way inspiring some people to carry on living.

Hallie told the BBC: "Because of CJ and his journey, some people have shared with us that they no longer want to end their life.

"We never for even one moment imagined that our son's story could save others."

The project will likely end in early 2015, but one last bit will be held for Hallie herself.