A FUNDRAISER has been set up for a family from Reading whose father died suddenly, last week, and whose mother is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Father of four, Matt Newman, died of a heart attack, last week.
Following his passing, close family friend, Casey Rogers, decided to set up a fundraising page to help the family financially whilst they get back on their feet.
Ms Rogers said: "My partner and I decided that the Newman family have given such a huge amount to the community and it was only right that everyone showed some appreciation and support at this difficult and devastating time."
The GoFundMe page has so far raised more than £7,000 in just four days.
Ms Rogers explained: "There isn't anyone that can compare to Matt Newman.
"We'd like to say a very big thank you to everyone that has so far donated.
"To say it's appreciated would be an understatement."
Mr Newman left behind his four children, Thomas, 21, Jacob, 19, Harrison 18, Mia-Rose, 8 and his wife, Amanda.
Mrs Newman is currently undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
She expressed her gratitude to everybody who has donated to her family so far explaining she is "amazed and very, very lucky".
She added: "It doesn’t seem real that people would want to help us."
Mr Newman was a popular part of the community, volunteering at the village primary school, helping out at Theale Tigers and acting as chair of Reading Rugby club for three years.
She explained he was "the kindest, most selfless person you could ever meet" adding "he loved everyone and was loved by everyone".
Mrs Newman revealed she met her husband when she was working at the Reading Evening Post in 1996 and Matt was working for an advertising agency in London.
She said: "I would call him for the adverts from his clients and he wouldn’t give me them and would be very rude, so I stopped calling him and then he rang and said I’ve missed your calls.
"We spent the next few months constantly on the phone to each other.
"We eventually met for the first time on June 15, 1996 and Matt surprised me with a proposal at the Evening Post offices on November 1, 1996.
"I said yes and we were on the front page of the paper.
"He whisked me away for a posh weekend in London - we got married on the June 7, 1997.
"It was the happiest day of both our lives.
"We’ve loved each other from the very first time we spoke."
She added: "He was an amazing giving man who would do anything for anyone, he’s left a massive hole in our lives which will never be filled."
To donate to the family visit their GoFundMe page, here.
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