A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched for a family following sudden the death of a Hampshire dad.

More than £3,500 has been raised after the death of Nicholas Francis aged 42.

He died of a brain haemorrhage shortly before Christmas and leaves his fiancé Sharon Hammond, two sons, aged one and three, and an 11-year old stepson.

The money raised from the GoFundMe page will go towards supporting the family, from Fordinbridge, through the beginning of the new year.

Kevin Holmes, a childhood friend of Nick from their time at Highcliffe Primary and Comprehensive Schools, said: “When we met as kids, I liked sports like football and cricket and he didn’t so, on the face of it, we shouldn’t have been good mates, but we were.

“We bonded over a love of fishing and it just grew from there. He enjoyed being a nuisance and liked being a big kid. He thrived off other people’s laughter and loved making people smile.”

Kevin set up the GoFundMe to help alleviate some of the financial stress the family may go through post-Christmas.

He added: “Although Nick was good at his job, he was never good with things like money. He liked to live in the today so rather than saving money for a rainy day, he did enjoy impromptu things. Nobody expects to die at 42 but he also didn’t have any prevention in place for his family.

“I am the godfather to two of his sons, so I felt like I had a responsibility to help the children out. Even if I wasn’t their godfather or even a family friends, I would still want to help in whatever way I could because they are such a lovely family.

“I have one child of my own and I find it a handful so the strength of Sharon to look after her three boys is truly inspiring and admirable. I have got a huge amount of respect for her.”

Since setting up the fundraising page, Kevin has had a big reaction from people around the world willing to help.

“The response we have had has been amazing,” said Kevin. “We have had donations coming in from Hong Kong, Australia and the United States, family and friends who knew him very well and others who are complete strangers who just want to help.”

To donate, visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/fundraising-for-bereaved-family-of-nick-francis