A LOCAL family have spoken of their gratitude after a fundraising page to help secure the future prospects of a young girl whose father recently died, received support from across the community and hit unexpected heights.

Joe Green was a much-loved dad to his nine-year-old daughter, Demi as well as a a son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

Demi is a member of borough-based performance group JDT Arts, which has thrown its weight behind the fundraiser, saying: "As some of you are aware, one of our dancers and holiday club students sadly lost her dad a few weeks ago.

"Demi is only nine and as you can imagine this has torn her world apart, it is so heartbreaking and devastating to be so young and lose a parent, a parent who helps guide us to becoming an adult.

"Her aunties have set this go fund me page up to help her have something from him when she's older, so he can still be apart of her life when she's 18."

Joe's eldest sister Keri said: "We are therefore setting up a GoFundMe in his memory, with the intention that the money raised will be placed into an account for Demi and made available to her when she reaches 18.

"In this small way, we hope that Joe can continue to provide something for his daughter as she grows up.

"There is absolutely no expectation to donate, and we completely understand that not everyone will be in a position to do so. "Those who do wish to contribute are welcome to donate anonymously if they prefer. We would also be very touched if people wished to leave a personal message or memory for my parents and/or Demi alongside their donation, as these will be treasured by his family and, in time, by his daughter.

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"Thank you for helping us remember Joe in a way that we know would mean so much to him."

To donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-joe-green?attribution_id=sl:0bc41e0a-0beb-49ee-b295-eb108d0b80df&lang=en_GB&ts=1787732710&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp30-treatment-7&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=whatsapp&fbclid=IwRlRTSAT9CSJwZG9mAWZkaWQWUNQAzW34JZwYIbzLJC0U6Ry4BBAgpWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5Mp90O7qGfqZAHgVaLdvJdLRzrTk4QEEc_krWSqy7dUe2wbHSbi7fnJqJjOw_aem_xZ-AHBI_wGEiUutkXOrI6Q

The appeal has already raised more than £7,000, with the family saying: "Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. As a family, we are completely blown away by your amazing generosity which we know will have meant so much to Joe and will also mean so much to Demi"