A MEMORIAL appeal for a two-year-old Southampton boy who died following an incident at a lake has raised almost £2,000 for his grieving family.

The heartbroken family of Greyson Birch from Sholing paid tribute to the toddler this week, who said his "cheeky little smile will grace their presence forever".

Police confirmed the identity of the toddler who died after he was found unresponsive in water at Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve.

Officers were called to the reserve at 8.21pm on Sunday 30 May, and attended along with the ambulance service and fire service, who got the two-year-old child out of the water.

Greyson was subsequently taken to Southampton General Hospital where he sadly died on Thursday, June 3.

His family said: "Greyson was our light and life that will still shine to us all through our thoughts and memories. Greyson would love to dance, sing, play, just everything!

"To know that each time we hear Twinkle Twinkle or someone plays Baby Shark and he’s not there dancing and clapping his hands kills us to the bottom of our hearts.

"The cheeky little smile that would grace our presence will remain in our family and friends’ hearts forever. I know he is now in a safe place watching over his sibling and all that came to be a part of his short but amazing life."

Now, a fundraiser has been set up to give Greyson "the best send off he deserves without her having to have the worry about the financial burden".

Brooke Evans, who set up the fundraiser said: "As you can imagine Kirsty [Greyson's mother] and her other children are absolutely devastated and heartbroken and still coming to terms with the fact he is gone. He was a healthy happy baby boy who was loved so very much.

"I wanted to try and take some of the unimaginable pain away and try and raise what I can for Kirsty to be able to give her baby the best send off he deserves without her having to have the worry about the financial burden this will bring on top of dealing with this life shattering news that will change the dynamics of their little family forever."

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-give-greyson-the-best-send-off-he-deserves