The people of Marlow have clubbed together and have so far raised over £2,000 for Kyrece’s Legacy - £1,500 over the initial target.
A Go Fund Me page was launched on July 22 this year to mark the sixth anniversary Kyrece Francis’ death – a 13-year-old school boy who lost his life on the first day of the 2014 summer holidays, when playing in the Marlow stretch of the River Thames.
READ MORE: Marlow schoolboy Kyrece Francis remembered six years on
The page was set up by Anna Morant, Tayla Louise Smith and Penny North, the admins of the Facebook group Marlow Life, so that the charity can have more b’lines and safety units implemented along the town’s stretch of Thames.
This comes after the b’lines were taken in May, June, and July of this year.
In a post that was published on Marlow Life on July 23, Anna said: “In less than 36 hours, the Kyrece's Legacy fundraising has left our initial target of £500 in its dust.
“We have hit just over £1,000!
“And we still have a little over 20 days left of the campaign!
“How high do we go with our target?
“As high as we can!”
READ MORE: Safety units in memory of Kyrece Francis have been taken in Marlow
This was then achieved within a few hours before it was increased to £2,000, which was then surpassed on July 26.
Anna continued in her post: “This fundraiser has been put in place to help support the charity after several of the devices have been removed.
“Some located and in the latest incident, still missing.
"They cost £90 inc VAT, which in comparison to saving a life is nothing.
“It’s not just Marlow residents who may benefit from these units.
“It’s the hundreds of people who visit the area, particularly in the summer months, when the sparkling water looks so inviting and for those who navigate the Thames on their vessels.
“You never know who may need the assistance but it’s reassuring to know they are there.
“We appreciate not everyone can donate money but by sharing the fundraiser you are supporting a vital cause.
“Thank you to those who have donated already. Please, please keep this going. Not only to save someone's life, but to keep Kyrece’s legacy going.”
READ MORE: Kyrece's Legacy safety unit is taken AGAIN - the second time in two months
Many people are donating £22 as it was the date of Kyrece’s passing, it was his squad number for the football team he used to play for and he died just 22 days before his 14th birthday.
A quote from the fundraising page said: “As a result of his passing, Kyrece's Legacy was formed.
“Fundraising meant that 28 life saving devices could be sited along the River Thames.
“Sadly, for whatever reason, some individuals have felt it acceptable to remove some of the devices.
Previously they have been located but from the most recent incident they are still missing.
READ MORE: Kyrece's Legacy confirm both b'lines have been found
“The devices were put in place to try to ensure that facilities were available if anyone was in need of help in the water, so that no one else's family have to go through the heartbreak and loss of a loved one.
“The thoughtless removal of these devices is putting lives at risk.”
To donate, click here.
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