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Lucas Dobson: Thousands donated to help give boy who fell into Sandwich river 'best send off possible'

Almost £6,000 has been raised to help to give Lucas Dobson the "best send off possible" while other donations towards a memorial bench have reached £1,400.

People desperate to show their support to the six-year-old's family have dug deep this weekend, whether it be donating online or placing pennies in a bucket.

In addition to two online fundraising pages, community events like Sandwich Festival and Lillyroo's Fun Day collected funds.

Six-year-old Lucas Dobson fell into the River Stour in Sandwich
Six-year-old Lucas Dobson fell into the River Stour in Sandwich

It comes as people continue to place tributes to the Warden House Primary School pupil on the banks of Sandwich Quay.

Lucas, from Deal, fell into the River Stour in Sandwich last Saturday while out on a fishing trip with his dad.

The original JustGiving page, which stands at £5,880, was started by Dagmar Field when the search for the youngster was still ongoing.

The funds were initially dedicated to helping the search and rescue teams help find Lucas but after he was found on Wednesday, the page became a site for donations towards his funeral.

More than 350 people have since donated giving sums of £5 upwards.

A red jumper has been tied to a tree in Sandwich where tributes to Lucas Dobson have been left
A red jumper has been tied to a tree in Sandwich where tributes to Lucas Dobson have been left

A separate Go Fund Me site has been started by Amber Stewart to help create a memorial bench for Lucas. It was launched on Saturday and has already reached £1,140.

She writes: "We’d like to raise money so we can give Lucas an amazing tribute and memory place near the River Stour in Sandwich.

"A memorial bench will be an amazing place for close family and also the public to visit to remember Lucas in such a positive way.

"Any donation, no matter how small, will go to such a brilliant tribute for little Lucas."

Surplus funds, she writes, will go to his parents towards the costs of his funeral.

Touching tributes to Lucas Dobson have been placed around a tree at Sandwich Quay
Touching tributes to Lucas Dobson have been placed around a tree at Sandwich Quay

Lillyroo's glamping site held a raffle during its family fun day on Sunday raising £340. Businesses such as Lillyroo's itself and Brunchbox in Mill Hill donated prizes.

St Peter's Church in Sandwich opened a book of condolence for Lucas on Friday - the first day of its four-day Sandwich Festival.

Alongside the book was a donation pot which collected almost £500.

Church volunteer Annemarie Huigen said the book is "almost full". It will remain at the church until Friday for anyone else who would like to write a tribute.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

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