Fundraiser for Noah Woods’s family passes £20,000 within hours after outpouring of grief for toddler

An online fundraiser set up to support the family of three-year-old Noah Woods has surpassed its £20,000 target within hours of launching.

The community appeal was created in the wake of the tragic news that a child's body had been recovered from Decoy Pond in Brantham, Suffolk, following an exhaustive search for the missing toddler.

Noah, who was non-verbal and partially deaf, was reported missing after being separated from a relative near a playground on Tuesday afternoon.

1,300 local volunteers joined emergency services, specialist dive teams, and search-and-rescue units in a desperate, round-the-clock effort to locate the boy before police confirmed the body of a child had been found just 350 yards from where he was last seen.

The crowdfunding campaign, organised by the Good Dads Club, said it was launched to relieve the financial burden on Noah's family.

"While no amount of money can undo these life-altering events, every single financial contribution will go directly toward helping Noah's family's expenses, navigate daily bills, and take the necessary time off work to grieve without the added strain of financial worry," organisers said on the fundraising page.

Donations have flooded in from more than 1,000 supporters, accompanied by hundreds of tributes and messages of condolence from members of the public.

“The money won’t bring your baby back but might help with expenses at this terribly tragic time. Thinking of you all. Rest in peace little Noah,” wrote one of the donors.

Addressing the emotional response from the public, superintendent Tom Pearse of Suffolk Police praised the solidarity shown by the community during the search.

"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us search," Supt Pearse said. "I completely understand why people would want to help, and such a response typifies the strong sense of community and the heartwarming nature of Suffolk people."

Organisers behind the appeal have urged the public to continue sharing the campaign to surround Noah's loved ones with "the solidarity they desperately need" while requesting that the family be granted privacy during this time.