The Swindon community has ralied to raise more than £14,000 for the family of a 14-year-old boy killed in a suspected hit and run crash last week.
14-year-old Harry Parker died after being knocked down on Akers Way on Friday morning.
His parents paid an emotional tribute to their "golden son", saying he was a "cheeky chap that could light up the room with just his presence".
It also comes after scores of floral tributes were left on the side of Akers Way, close to where the fatal crash occured.
Now, a GoFundMe page set up to help the grieving family pay for the young boy’s funeral costs has raised thousands within the first few hours of being made, and donations continue to roll in by the hour.
As of Tuesday evening, roughly 24 hours after the page went live, it had already raised £14,000, far exceeding the £1,000 goal.
On the page, organiser Emilia Thatcher, said: “As you all know our family lost a beautiful boy Harry on Friday 25th November.
“We have all had a lot of messages asking how people can help, we all think the best way for people to help is to raise money to give Harry the best send-off he deserves.
“I want to do this to take the pressure off Harry’s mum, dad and three brothers. Any donations will be amazing and very much appreciated for a lovely young boy.”
This GoFundMe has also been shared by family members, including Harry’s brother, and is rapidly spreading throughout the Swindon community via local social media pages.
A separate JustGiving page has been set up by residents of Eastbury Way, where Harry’s aunt and uncle live, who have dedicated their popular annual Christmas light display in Harry’s name, with proceeds going towards Wiltshire Air Ambulance who rushed him to hospital in Bristol.
Danielle Spencer who set up the page said: “Tragically we are raising money in memory of Harry, who devastatingly lost his life due to the hit and run along Akers Way.
“One of our households along the street are direct family members so it is extremely close to home. As the air ambulance took him to Bristol hospital, we have decided that this will be the charity we are raising money for this Christmas in his memory.”
In a statement on social media Harry’s dad, Adam said that the support from the town was a source of comfort to all of the family.
To donate to Harry's funeral costs visit: https://gofund.me/bf212d60
To donate to Wiltshire Air Ambulance on behalf of Harry via the Eastbury Way Christmas lights visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/eastburywaychristmaslights-1669501156988?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=one_page&utm_content=page/eastburywaychristmaslights-1669501156988&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=8794ee8bdfe34ac5a1f9ce0af261f311
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